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Hundreds due at soldier's funeral Hundreds attend soldier's funeral
(1 day later)
The funeral of a soldier who was killed in Afghanistan, is due to take place on the same day he was due to return home to Greater Manchester on leave. The funeral of a soldier who was killed in Afghanistan has taken place on the same day he was due to return home to Greater Manchester on leave.
Guardsman Neil Tony Downes, known as Tony, 20, from Droylsden, was killed by a landmine while on patrol in Helmand Province on 9 June.Guardsman Neil Tony Downes, known as Tony, 20, from Droylsden, was killed by a landmine while on patrol in Helmand Province on 9 June.
He will be buried with full military honours in his home town on Thursday. Hundreds of people packed out St Mary's Church in his home town before he was buried with full military honours.
Guardsman Downes had written letters to his girlfriend and family, to be opened only in the event of his death. Fellow soldiers in bearskins and red tunics and mourners lined the road.
He had served with the 1st Battalion of the Grenadier Guards, and had already completed a posting to Basra in Iraq after joining the Army at 17. The guardsman's coffin was carried into the church by six pallbearers in military uniform, the coffin draped in the Union Flag with his hat and a single red wreath on top.
All I wanna say is how much I loved you, and cared for you Guardsman Neil Tony Downes You are now my beautiful angel and our hero Jane Little
The letter to his teenage sweetheart, Jane Little, 19, said: "Hey beautiful, I'm sorry I had to put you through all this darling. I'm truly sorry. Guardsman Downes' girlfriend, Jane Little, 19, paid tribute to him as a "beautiful angel".
"Just thought I'll leave you with a last few words. He had written letters to her and his family, to be opened only in the event of his death.
"All I wanna say is how much I loved you, and cared for you." In the letter to Miss Little, his teenage sweetheart, he said: "Hey beautiful, I'm sorry I had to put you through all this darling. I'm truly sorry.
"Just thought I'll leave you with a last few words. All I wanna say is how much I loved you, and cared for you."
He wrote: "Jane, I hope you have a wonderful and fulfilling life! Get married, have children, etc! I will love you forever and will see you again when you're old and wrinkly!"He wrote: "Jane, I hope you have a wonderful and fulfilling life! Get married, have children, etc! I will love you forever and will see you again when you're old and wrinkly!"
About 500 people are expected to attend the funeral at St Mary's Church in Droylsden. Guardsman Downes had served with the 1st Battalion of the Grenadier Guards, and had already completed a posting to Basra in Iraq after joining the Army at 17.
A firing party of Grenadier Guards will also be at the cemetery and an army bugler will play the Last Post. At the funeral, Miss Little left a floral tribute of red roses and white chrysanthemums in the shape of a heart, with a card which read: "To my loving boyfriend Tony, you are now my beautiful angel and our hero. I miss and love you forever.
"Love you lots and lots like jelly tots, big hugs and kisses, Jane xxx."
'Died too soon'
A reading was given by one of the Guardsman's closest friends starting "Do not stand by my grave and weep..." but was finished by Army Padre Pat Allroyd after his friend broke down in tears.
The padre said: "Tony has died too soon; it seems he still had many years left to live really.
"He found happiness himself in the last few months with Jane who he loved deeply. He would have been proud of you today and amazed that so many people are here."
After the service the guardsman's coffin was taken for burial at a local cemetery, where a firing party of Grenadier Guards fired a volley of shots over his coffin.
An army bugler also played the Last Post.