Hundreds pay farewell tribute at Minster funeral for soldier

York fell silent in solemn tribute to Trooper Ashley Smith, 21, whose funeral was held in the city's Minster yesterday after he was killed in an explosion while on patrol in Helmand Province on June 18.

The price of the conflict was shown once again when the bodies of two servicemen, including Marine David Hart, from Upper Poppleton, near York, were repatriated back to the UK yesterday.

Hundreds of people braved pouring rain to line the pavements surrounding York Minster as the funeral cortege of Trooper Smith passed by. As his hearse made its way through his home city, one woman stepped forward to throw a single rose on top of the hearse.

At least 500 people attended the service in the Minster, including the family and close friends of the young soldier, from the Royal Dragoon Guards, Viking Group, D (the Green Horse) Squadron.

Trooper Smith's sister, Sadie Gelder, told mourners that her brother was a talented sportsman who had turned down the chance to become a professional basketball player because he wanted to stay with his family.

"He was kind, gentle and very funny," she said. "He never took life too seriously. He had a lovely sense of humour and a lovely smile. He cherished his family, as we did him."

Trooper Smith joined the Royal Dragoon Guards in 2008 and served in Canada before going to Afghanistan.

His mother, Sandra, was presented with the Elizabeth Cross shortly after his death and his father, Dave, was given his operational medals.

The sun broke through the clouds and the Minster's bells tolled as Trooper Smith's coffin, topped with his regimental cap and belt and a wreath of flowers, was carried to the waiting hearse before making its final journey to a private burial.

Meanwhile, a similar display of remembrance was staged in Wiltshire, when hundreds of mourners paid silent tribute to Marine Hart, of 40 Commando, Royal Marines, and Bombardier Samuel Robinson, of 5th Regiment, Royal Artillery, as the servicemen's bodies arrived back in the UK. Following a private service at RAF Lyneham, their coffins, draped in Union flags, were then driven through nearby Wootton Bassett en route to the coroner in Oxford.

Residents and business people joined family and friends to honour the men in a moment's silence as the cortege paused at the town's war memorial.

Wootton Bassett has come to represent the nation with hundreds gathering on the high street to pay respect at each repatriation.

Marine Hart was serving as part of Combined Force Sangin when he was killed on the eve of his 24th birthday in an explosion on foot patrol in Sangin, Helmand, on Thursday last week.

The 23-year-old lived in Upper Poppleton and his parents, Dilys and Chris Hart, said he loved his family, his girlfriend and

friends.

They added: "Throughout his life David showed the qualities of the Commando spirit, he had a great personality and was a friend to everyone.

"His cheerfulness, his sense of humour and, of course, his smile will be sorely missed, but never forgotten. We are immensely proud, as he was, of his achievements."

His sister, Sarah Hart, added: "Dave, I will miss you so much. You were so brave and I will always remember you as a true hero."

Bombardier Robinson, 31, from Carmarthen in Wales, was serving in support of Combined Force Sangin and died in a separate explosion while on foot patrol in Sangin on the same day as Marine Hart.

The British death toll in the Afghanistan campaign has now reached 318.

FAMILY'S TRIBUTE TO MARINE

Tributes were paid last night to a "brilliant" Royal Marine who was killed in Afghanistan the day before his 24th birthday.

Matthew Harrison, of 40 Commando, died in the Camp Bastion field hospital after being wounded in a firefight on a patrol in the Sangin district of Helmand Province on Tuesday.

Parents Brian and Janette said: "He was passionate about being a Marine and serving on the front line. He died doing what he said he needed to do."

Marine Harrison, 23, from Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, was named best all-round recruit in the senior troop during his training.