Soldiers remember fallen comrade (Video)

Corporal Matthew James Stenton, of the Royal Dragoon Guards, was killed by small arms fire after insurgents shot a fellow serviceman in the Lashkar Gah district of Helmand province.

Family, friends and colleagues packed the Garrison Memorial Church at Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire to pay their respects to the 23-year-old.

After the service a committal was taking place at nearby Hipswell Military Cemetery at the request of his family. Cpl Stenton's colleague, Lance Corporal Stephen Daniel Monkhouse, 28, of the 1st Battalion Scots Guards, was killed in the same incident as he joined Cpl Stenton in the rescue bid.

During the fight, Cpl Stenton manoeuvred a Viking armoured vehicle to help remove the wounded soldier, while L/Cpl Monkhouse, the gunner of a Coyote vehicle, provided support. But the two were killed in ensuing gunfire.

Cpl Stenton leaves behind his father and stepmother, Michael and Gillian, and sister Charlotte. On Tuesday, in warm sunshine, Cpl Stenton's coffin, draped in a Union flag, was carried into the church with his regimental cap and belt and a wreath of poppies placed on to.

More than 300 mourners packed the church to pay tribute to the "brilliant lad". Mourners were told during the 45-minute service that he joined the Army three weeks after leaving school.

After an initial short spell with the Parachute Regiment he joined the Royal Dragoon Guards where his sense of humour made him a popular member.

"If he was here today, he would still find something funny to say," the mourners were told by Padre John McGregor. He told the congregation of Cpl Stenton's love for buying "Gucci kit".

To laughter, he added: "And the family's thoughts are with the bearer party today because Matthew never travels light. He took as his motto: the best of the best are the best and he always tried to do his best."

Mourners heard about his sporting prowess, especially swimming, and his love of radio-controlled model helicopters and cars.

They were also told about his sense of humour and that he "loved a laugh".

"If he was here today, he would still find something funny to say," the mourners were told by Padre John McGregor. He told the congregation of Cpl Stenton's love for buying "Gucci kit".

To laughter, he added: "And the family's thoughts are with the bearer party today because Matthew never travels light.

"He took as his motto: the best of the best are the best and he always tried to do his best.

"Matthew was proud to be a soldier and he believed he was in Iraq and then Afghanistan to try to make this world a better place for you, and for me and for the entire human race.

"Michael and Gillian and his sister Charlotte are, and always will be, immensely proud of him."

The hymns I Vow To Thee My Country and Onward, Christian Soldiers were sung and his coffin was taken out of the church to Michael Jackson's Heal The World.