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SAS soldier training funeral hears tributes to Craig Roberts | SAS soldier training funeral hears tributes to Craig Roberts |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Tributes have been paid at the funeral for an Army reservist who died after SAS selection training in Powys. | Tributes have been paid at the funeral for an Army reservist who died after SAS selection training in Powys. |
L/Cpl Craig Roberts, 24, from Penrhyn Bay, Conwy, collapsed and died on 13 July with Edward Maher, 31. | L/Cpl Craig Roberts, 24, from Penrhyn Bay, Conwy, collapsed and died on 13 July with Edward Maher, 31. |
His commanding officer praised him as a "talented young man" before the service at Holy Trinity Church in Llandudno. | |
A coroner has also opened an investigation into the death of Cpl James Dunsby, 31, who also collapsed on the day and died on 30 July. | A coroner has also opened an investigation into the death of Cpl James Dunsby, 31, who also collapsed on the day and died on 30 July. |
'Role-model' | |
Holidaymakers and locals applauded as L/Cpl Roberts's body was driven through the seaside town to the funeral on Thursday afternoon. | |
On top of the Union Flag-draped coffin was his military cap and belt. | |
Emotional tributes were paid to the "outstanding soldier" at the funeral, where he was described as a "determined, conscientious, team-player who relished all the challenges military life brought to him". | |
At university he joined the East Midlands Universities Officers Training Corps and he served with the 3rd Battalion, the Royal Anglian Regiment. | |
Six Army pallbearers carried his coffin into the packed church, watched by crowds in the street. | |
Major Mark Bevin, of the training corps, said L/Cpl Roberts had been a "role-model." | |
He had trained with the US National Guard in Texas and in January 2011 had been mobilised for United Nations peacekeeping duties where he showed his "natural yet unassuming leadership style". | |
Army chaplain, the Reverend Paul Whitehead, told mourners: "Our hearts and thoughts and prayers are also with the families of Edward Maher and James Dunsby as well." | |
The men were on a 40-mile (64km) hike in the Brecon Beacons when temperatures reached 29.5C (85F). | The men were on a 40-mile (64km) hike in the Brecon Beacons when temperatures reached 29.5C (85F). |
They had been taking part in a four-week trial for the SAS reservists ending in the hike across the beacons. | They had been taking part in a four-week trial for the SAS reservists ending in the hike across the beacons. |
They were among six men rescued after collapsing in the hot weather. | They were among six men rescued after collapsing in the hot weather. |
L/Cpl Roberts was pronounced dead on the beacons on 13 July at 17:15 BST. Almost three hours later, Mr Maher died at Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil. | L/Cpl Roberts was pronounced dead on the beacons on 13 July at 17:15 BST. Almost three hours later, Mr Maher died at Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil. |
L/Cpl Roberts had served with the Territorial Army for more than five years and he is understood to have served in Afghanistan and Iraq as a reservist. | |
He had worked as a teaching assistant in London and was due to take up a job in Whitehall in the office of Education Secretary Michael Gove. | He had worked as a teaching assistant in London and was due to take up a job in Whitehall in the office of Education Secretary Michael Gove. |
'Can-do' volunteer | 'Can-do' volunteer |
Lt/Col Paul Morris, commanding officer of the 3rd Battalion, the Royal Anglian Regiment, paid tribute to L/Cpl Roberts before the funeral began. | Lt/Col Paul Morris, commanding officer of the 3rd Battalion, the Royal Anglian Regiment, paid tribute to L/Cpl Roberts before the funeral began. |
"Craig was a talented young man with a bright future ahead of him, both as an army reservist and in his wider civilian life," he said. | "Craig was a talented young man with a bright future ahead of him, both as an army reservist and in his wider civilian life," he said. |
"He was the epitome of the can-do volunteer ethos, and successfully managed the demanding commitment of an army reservist, initially with his university studies and latterly with his employment within the teaching sector. | "He was the epitome of the can-do volunteer ethos, and successfully managed the demanding commitment of an army reservist, initially with his university studies and latterly with his employment within the teaching sector. |
"Craig will be missed dearly by everyone who knew him - his family, his friends, his colleagues and his comrades in the wider army. | "Craig will be missed dearly by everyone who knew him - his family, his friends, his colleagues and his comrades in the wider army. |
"We will miss him greatly and we will remember him." | "We will miss him greatly and we will remember him." |
An inquest in Brecon, which was opened and adjourned last month, heard the cause of Mr Roberts's and Mr Maher's deaths remained "unascertained". | An inquest in Brecon, which was opened and adjourned last month, heard the cause of Mr Roberts's and Mr Maher's deaths remained "unascertained". |
At the hearing Powys coroner Louise Hunt warned that the Ministry of Defence (MoD) could face investigation under the Human Rights Act. | At the hearing Powys coroner Louise Hunt warned that the Ministry of Defence (MoD) could face investigation under the Human Rights Act. |
She said "right to life" would play an important part in the inquest. | She said "right to life" would play an important part in the inquest. |
Ms Hunt reiterated those comments on Thursday at the opening of an investigation into the subsequent death of Cpl Dunsby. | Ms Hunt reiterated those comments on Thursday at the opening of an investigation into the subsequent death of Cpl Dunsby. |
The Defence Secretary Philip Hammond has announced a full inquiry into the deaths. | The Defence Secretary Philip Hammond has announced a full inquiry into the deaths. |