Afghanistan: Final farewell to Major killed by 'trusted' rogue soldier

Major Josh Bowman, from 1st Battalion, The Royal Gurkha Rifles, was killed beside Lieutenant Neal Turkington and Corporal Arjun Purja Pun last month.

The rogue soldier, Sergeant Talib Hussein, 32, is still at large after killing the three at a base in the Nahr-e Saraj district.

Maj Bowman's father, John Bowman, received his son's cap, wreath and Union flag outside Salisbury Cathedral after a three-volley salute was fired over the coffin.

He had followed the pallbearers out of the cathedral with his wife Barbara, Maj Bowman's half brothers, Brian and David, and his sister Louisa.

More than 500 people attended the traditional service.

Paying tribute, the Rev Stephen Franklin said: "The country has lost a hero. It's not right that such a fine man should be killed. Not right that someone trusted should turn on him.

"It's not right that parents should bury their son."

Maj Bowman's commanding officer in his first regiment, The Rifles, Colonel William Pointing, told the congregation the officer had high standards but was modest and not interested in furthering his career, only in what could challenge him.

"Josh was his own man who did not laugh readily at the jokes of senior officers," he explained.

"He was loved by his brother officers and his men because his friendship was unconditional, spontaneous and enduring."