Shropshire marine Damian Davies has been laid to rest in the churchyard close to his home, his family said today.

The 27-year-old soldier, who was killed in Afghanistan, had a full military funeral at St Georges Parish Church, Telford, on Christmas Eve.

This weekend his family returned to the church for a quiet service for the interment of his ashes.

They have been placed in a plot in the churchyard under the east window marked, for the moment, by a simple wooden cross.

Today his widow, Joanne Davies, said all were welcome to go and pay their respects.

“We wanted somewhere local where people could go along and remember Damian,” Mrs Davies said.

“We had a short, simply interment service with just close family attendance. Damian has been laid to rest under the east window of the church. There is a wooden cross at the spot.”

The couple, whose families are from the St Georges area, were married in the church in June 2005. They lived in Devon for a time while Mr Davies was stationed there but Mrs Davies had returned to be with family while he was in Afghanistan. 

Following his tour of duty in Afghanistan the marine had planned to leave the forces and the couple were going to make their home in Telford.

The marine died in the Helmand province of Afghanistan last month along with two colleagues. It is believed a 13-year-old suicide bomber detonated an explosion.

Following the tragedy The Rotary Club of Ironbridge contacted Mrs Davies to see if they could launch an appeal for her.

A bank account has now been set up at Barclays Bank for the couple’s 20-month-old son, Matthew.

Anyone wishing to donate to the account can contact Barclays Bank in Telford Town Centre, quoting sort code 20-85-46,  account number 137 03 541.

By Sue Austin