Funeral for Iraq helicopter victim

Marc Lawrence died when two helicopters collided off Iraq

Hundreds of people gathered on Monday for the funeral of a Royal Navy airman who died during the war in Iraq.

Lieutenant Marc Lawrence was buried in a private ceremony at St Saviour's Church in his home town of Westgate in Kent.

He was one of six British servicemen killed on 22 March when two Sea King helicopters collided off Iraq after flying from the aircraft carrier Ark Royal.

Lieutenant Lawrence's body was the last to be found, when it was discovered in the sea during the first week of June.

The 26-year-old lieutenant was a member of 849 Squadron based at the Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose, near Helston in Cornwall.

It is such a shame and such a great shock it should have ended like that

Captain Alan Massey

Family, friends and navy personnel came together for the funeral service, which concluded with a fly-past by a Sea King helicopter.

Fiancée Elaine Cleaver, who the lieutenant had planned to marry next year, spoke of how greatly she missed her best friend.

And friends from Plymouth University, where Lieutenant Lawrence studied for his degree, recalled the good times they had spent together.

Captain Alan Massey, of HMS Ark Royal, said: "We have a large number of Ark Royal's company here, and of course 849 Squadron, to pay tribute to what was a fine young man, a true professional.

Lt Lawrence planned to marry fiancée Elaine Cleaver next year

"He was a very lively and happy-go-lucky sort of chap who was just part of the squadron, very much part of the ship's company during this Iraq conflict.

"It is such a shame and such a great shock it should have ended like that."

Chaplain the Reverend Simon Sprigett said: "There was a great sadness when they recovered all the members of the crew apart from Marc's body.

"It does hopefully mark the end of a chapter now."

A memorial service had already been held for Lieutenant Lawrence in Westgate on 3 April, before his body was found and returned to the UK.

His sister Jayne and Ms Cleaver both read tributes during that service, while musicians from the Royal Marines School of Music played.