Town pays tribute to ‘consummate professional’ killed by Taliban blast

A “consummate professional soldier” died after “just doing his job” in Afghanistan, mourners at his funeral heard yesterday.

Corporal Jack Stanley, 26, from The Queen’s Royal Hussars (The Queen’s Own and Royal Irish) died at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham on April 8 after he was caught in the blast from an improvised explosive device (IED) on February 3.

The soldier, from Bolton, was a section commander who deployed to Afghanistan with C (Coriano) Company, Combined Force Lashkar Gah (The Queen’s Royal Hussars Battle Group) last October.

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Hundreds paid respects to him at Holy Trinity Church in Littleborough, including his mother Brenda, father Tom, sisters Rachel, Larissa and Joanne, and his girlfriend Sarah.

In an address to the congregation, the Queen’s Royal Hussars chaplain the Rev Peter King said: “He routinely faced danger up close and personal while responsible for the safety of those in his command.

“The consummate professional soldier, he did his job extremely well.

“Jack would always say he was just doing his job.”

Those sentiments were echoed by his family, who said in a statement issued before the service: “Jack disliked the terms hero and brave. He would say he was just doing his job.

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“A beautiful soul, loving and generous, a true friend, he was the brightest star to shine in our life.”

Mr King added that Cpl Stanley – nicknamed Stan and an avid Bolton Wanderers supporter – was “always optimistic” and “a glass half-full man”.

“Jack was laid back, almost horizontal, with great humour,” he said. “He never made his mum cry... until now.”

He told mourners that Cpl Stanley had been commended for saving the life of an Afghan police sergeant during an blast from an IED and he had defied medical experts by regaining consciousness in hospital in Birmingham and having precious time with his loved ones.

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“Just 10 days before he died he said Sarah (his girlfriend) was the best thing that happened to him,” he said.

“He has laid down his life for his friends. I imagine he will be standing once more with highly polished boots ... possibly kicking a ball around, and definitely with a cheeky smile.”

Floral tributes were sent by Bolton Wanderers and his close childhood friend Tom Parker, from the pop band The Wanted.

A message attached to the bouquet from Parker and his family read: “We shared so many memories together bro. All the footballing times in your backyard, on the park and the times we played music.

“You will be truly missed. A true hero.”

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Cpl Stanley was treated in Afghanistan and the UK after he was caught in the blast. He was -airlifted to a medical facility at Camp Bastion before being transferred to Birmingham, where he died with his family at his hospital bedside.

A private committal service followed the funeral.

Donations in his memory may be given to the Jack Stanley Support Fund through the website www.jackstanley.org.

All funds raised will be distributed between military charities and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.