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Funeral for blast death soldier | Funeral for blast death soldier |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The funeral of a British soldier killed in Afghanistan by a roadside bomb as he drove an ambulance has taken place. | |
Corporal Jason Barnes, originally from Exeter in Devon, had been helping evacuate a fellow serviceman when the device detonated on 22 July. | |
The 25-year-old was hailed for his bravery by colleagues in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. | The 25-year-old was hailed for his bravery by colleagues in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. |
Cpl Barnes' funeral was held at St Peter's Church, in Colchester, where he lived with his wife Diane. | |
Leaning against his coffin as it was driven to church were individual floral letters that formed the words "sexy pants". | |
They were accompanied by a note from Mrs Barnes, which said: "Sexy pants, a wonderful husband, my best friend, my soul mate. We laughed, cried and shared everything together. | |
'My hero' | |
"I miss you more than words can say. My love for you will never die. | |
"You are my hero. Love you always, Diana xxx. Baby sleep tight." | |
After the service, the funeral cortege passed through the town's Hogh Street accompanied by a flypast by two Lynx Army helicopters from 657 Squadron, Army Air Corps, based at RAF Odiham, Hampshire, where Cpl Barnes had been stationed. | |
After his death, Maj Grant Haywood said: "He died as he lived, placing others first and doing what he wanted to do, so well, without fear or complaint. | After his death, Maj Grant Haywood said: "He died as he lived, placing others first and doing what he wanted to do, so well, without fear or complaint. |
"He will be truly missed by all here and our thoughts are with his wife, family and friends." | "He will be truly missed by all here and our thoughts are with his wife, family and friends." |
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