Farewell to hero marine Damian

Shropshire hero marine Damian Davies, who was killed while serving in Afghanistan, was today given full military honours at his funeral. Shropshire hero marine Damian Davies, who was killed while serving in Afghanistan, was today given full military honours at his funeral. Mr Davies's widow Joanne, who is pregnant with the couple's second child, led up to 400 mourners at the service at St Georges Parish Church, in Telford, this afternoon. The service was told about the "big-hearted" man who wanted to get back to his family. The 27-year-old, a member of the Commando Logistic Regiment, was one of three marines killed in a suspected suicide bomb attack just over a week ago. The men all died as a result of an explosion south of Sangin after they were reportedly approached by a 13-year-old boy pushing a wheelbarrow in which a bomb was hidden. Gun bearers, along with up 20 Royal British Legion members, formed a guard of honour outside the church. Young children clutching roses joined the mourners inside. Video footage from the funeral See more photos below and read the full story in today's Shropshire Star

Shropshire hero marine Damian Davies, who was killed while serving in Afghanistan, was today given full military honours at his funeral.

Mr Davies's widow Joanne, who is pregnant with the couple's second child, led up to 400 mourners at the service at St Georges Parish Church, in Telford, this afternoon.

See more photos below

Video footage from the funeral

The service was told about the "big-hearted" man who wanted to get back to his family.

The 27-year-old, a member of the Commando Logistic Regiment, was one of three marines killed in a suspected suicide bomb attack just over a week ago.

The men all died as a result of an explosion south of Sangin after they were reportedly approached by a 13-year-old boy pushing a wheelbarrow in which a bomb was hidden.

Gun bearers, along with up 20 Royal British Legion members, formed a guard of honour outside the church. Young children clutching roses joined the mourners inside.

Church Street fell silent as Mr Davies's coffin arrived with a police escort and his family walking behind.

Floral tributes included one from his 19-month-old son Matthew which spelt out DADDY in carnations. Another, in the shape of the number 24, was from Mr Davies's former Army colleagues.

Mrs Davies's message on her floral tribute read: "To my darling, my sexy husband man Damian. You sleep tight now and I will see you again one day."

Mrs Davies, linking arms with Mr Davies's brother Warren, who was in full marine uniform and clutching his brother's beret, led more than 50 family members in to the church behind the coffin which was draped with a Union flag.

Naval padre the Reverend Graham Hitchins, who delivered the eulogy, said Mr Davies was always "a very relaxed and easy man" who wanted to see out his time with the corps and get back to his family.

He recalled stories from Mr Davies's mother, Madison, who said he was a little boy who loved climbing trees and a man who seemed unlikely to take to life in the Navy let alone serve as a Royal Marine commando.

Mr Hitchins told how Mr Davies enjoyed his travels but found the "love of his life" Joanne virtually around the corner from where he grew up.

"Joanne has much by which to be reminded of the love they shared, not least of all their son, and who knows . . .", he said.

Mr Hitchins went on to describe Mr Davies's death as "wickedness".

By Kirsty Smallman

Damian Davies's widow, Joanne is comforted