This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/tyne/7802755.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Funeral of suicide blast soldier | Funeral of suicide blast soldier |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Hundreds of mourners gathered to pay their respects to a Royal Marine from Tyneside who was killed in a suspected suicide bomb attack in Afghanistan. | |
| Sgt John Manuel, from Gateshead, died with two colleagues when a wheelbarrow filled with explosives was pushed into them by a suspected bomber, aged 13. | Sgt John Manuel, from Gateshead, died with two colleagues when a wheelbarrow filled with explosives was pushed into them by a suspected bomber, aged 13. |
| The 38-year-old, described as a hero by his family, was approaching the end of his career in the Royal Marines. | The 38-year-old, described as a hero by his family, was approaching the end of his career in the Royal Marines. |
| He received full military honours at Newcastle's St Mary's Cathedral. | |
| A colour party lined the street as the marine's coffin - draped with a Union flag - was carried into the cathedral for the service on Monday morning. | |
| A message on a floral tribute from his mother Pauline read: "My precious beautiful son. | |
| Sgt Manuel was nearing the end of his career with the Royal Marines | |
| "My heart is broken, you will be in my thoughts everyday forever. God take care of you. My hero. Rest in peace." | |
| During the service mourners sang I Vow to Thee, My Country and Abide with Me, while tributes were led by Sgt Manuel's brothers Trevor, 33, and Jimmy, 35. | |
| After the service the coffin travelled the short distance to Saltwell Cemetery in Gateshead, where his body was laid to rest. | |
| Sgt Manuel died alongside Cpl Marc Birch and Marine Damian Davies in the blast in Helmand province on December 13. | |
| The explosion killed Sgt Manuel and Cpl Birch at the scene, while Marine Davies died later in hospital at Camp Bastion. | The explosion killed Sgt Manuel and Cpl Birch at the scene, while Marine Davies died later in hospital at Camp Bastion. |
| Sgt Manuel and Cpl Birch were serving with 45 Commando. Marine Davies was with the Commando Logistics Regiment. | Sgt Manuel and Cpl Birch were serving with 45 Commando. Marine Davies was with the Commando Logistics Regiment. |
| A moving tribute from Sgt Manuel's family | |
| A veteran of campaigns in Iraq, Belize and Kosovo, Sgt Manuel was nearing the end of his career in the Marines, and hoped to join the police force. | A veteran of campaigns in Iraq, Belize and Kosovo, Sgt Manuel was nearing the end of his career in the Marines, and hoped to join the police force. |
| Maj Richard Maltby, his company commander, said his thoughts were with his partner Rachel. | Maj Richard Maltby, his company commander, said his thoughts were with his partner Rachel. |
| "A limitless 'ball of fire', Sgt Manuel was at the forefront of company life." | |
| Sgt Sean McKeown, who knew Sgt Manuel for nearly 20 years, said: "He had the courage of a lion and the personality of a hundred men." | Sgt Sean McKeown, who knew Sgt Manuel for nearly 20 years, said: "He had the courage of a lion and the personality of a hundred men." |