Tearful farewell as hero is honoured

The bravery and sacrifice of L/Cpl David Kirkness, 24, of Morley, Leeds, was applauded by members of the public as his funeral cortege approached Wakefield Cathedral.

Hundreds of people braved the freezing weather to listen to the service on loudspeakers.

In L/Cpl Kirkness's home town of Morley, it was a poignant scene as people threw roses as the hearse passed by.

The young soldier's coffin was draped in the Union flag and accompanied by wreaths, one from his three-year-old daughter Brooke.

The soldier, of 3rd Battalion The Rifles, died on December 15 as he tried to stop two suicide bombers on a motorbike blowing up a crowded marketplace.

Another soldier, 18-year-old Rifleman James Brown, also died in the attack outside Sangin, in Helmand province.

Schools Secretary Ed Balls, who is MP for nearby Normanton, was among the mourners alongside Wakefield Labour MP Mary Creagh.

Mr Balls later described the service as "deeply moving" and paid tribute to L/Cpl Kirkness.

The MP said: "Everyone's thoughts are with his grieving parents, partner and little daughter, who received the Elizabeth Cross on behalf of her dad from the Lord Lieutenant.

"It is hard to comprehend the depth of their loss. But at the same time I am sure they were deeply proud to hear the tributes to this very brave soldier from his regimental comrades and senior officers.

"The eulogies were warm and fulsome, telling of his professionalism, bravery and leadership."