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Soldier Damian has funeral for a hero
MORE than 500 people gathered to remember the life of a Whitby soldier who was killed in an explosion in Afghanistan.
Corporal Damian Lawrence, from the 2nd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards), was described as a fun-loving friend and devoted father to his three-year-old daughter Jessica.
His three younger brothers, who were said to have loved playing boisterous games with Cpl Lawrence when he was home, wiped away tears as they lit candles at the ceremony at St Hilda’s Church on the West Cliff.
They were joined by his parents Alison and Steven and partner Eve.
Cpl Lawrence, 25, who was known to his friends and comrades as Damo, was described as “irreplaceable” by one senior officer.
Cpl Lawrence’s death in Helmand Province on Sunday February 17 came two weeks before Prince Harry was forced to cut short his tour of duty in Afghanistan due to foreign websites breaking a media blackout on reporting details of his service.
The coffin, draped in the Union flag, was carried in by six soldiers as the U2 song Where The Streets Have No Name echoed around the stone church.
Friends stood in any space they could find at the back of the church, while some temporary seats were brought in to extend the pews.
Military chaplain Chris Groocock told the congregation: “Today as we gather in this church, we pay tribute to his life and his character as a father, a soldier and a leader.
“We remember how he touched our lives and how our lives are better for having known him.”
Chris Anderson, who described himself as one of Cpl Lawrence’s closest friends, said he would be greatly missed.
“He was a loyal friend and no matter how upset we were, he would always make us laugh,” he said.
“Damo doted on his daughter Jessica. And I know she will have around 100 uncles to guide her who will always tell her how brave her dad was.”
Cpl Lawrence was taking part in a joint UK-Afghan national army night patrol tasked with clearing a number of compounds in Kajaki, in Helmand Province, on the night he was killed.
His role had been to train and mentor an Afghan national army platoon – a dangerous and difficult task that he performed outstandingly, the spokesman said.
Major Matt Adams, Officer Commanding Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team 3, 2nd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards), said: “Corporal Damo Lawrence was a lynchpin within C Company, a special soldier who was deeply popular and deeply professional.”
He added: “Cpl Lawrence died as he lived, leading his men, in a high threat environment under adverse conditions and to the highest standards of the British Army.
“He is irreplaceable.”
Cpl Lawrence was laid to rest in Whitby cemetery, as a firing party from the 1st Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment marked his death with three gunshots.
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Weather for Scarborough
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: North east
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Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: North east
