Funeral for murdered skydiver

A guard of honour carried Mr Hilder's coffin into the church

Hundreds of mourners gathered for the funeral of murdered skydiver Stephen Hilder in Herefordshire.

Mr Hilder, an Army cadet from Hereford, plunged 13,000 feet to his death at Hibaldstow Airfield, north Lincolnshire, on 4 July, after his parachute was sabotaged.

Detectives investigating the 20-year-old's death joined the congregation for the service at St Mary's Church, in Burghill, on Thursday.

Mr Hilder's Union Jack draped coffin was carried into the church by six pallbearers from the Royal Military College of Science at the Defence Academy near Swindon.

Spiritual side

Family vicar the Reverend Jimmy Morrison led the service of celebration and told the congregation of more than 300 relatives, friends and military colleagues that Mr Hilder was a "brave" man who had a "zest for life".

There was laughter when Mr Morrison described the skydiver, who he had known since he was a teenager, as "no mean humorist" and a prankster but also as someone who had strong spiritual side.

Mr Hilder was an experienced skydiver

"I saw him as first class officer material," he said.

"He really was an excellent chap. I was quite convinced that he had ahead of him a very, very fine career. There was no question in my mind at all."

He added: "I could sense that blend of bravery and common sense which makes the good soldier."

He told Mr Hilder's parents, Paul and Mary, both 51, and his sister Kate that their pride "must be tinged with despair and isolation".

Mr Morrison added that Mr Hilder had made a huge impact on the lives of people he knew, particularly a group of primary school children he had coached in sports after joining the military academy.

Messages of support

"There was this guy who was sensitive, loving, thoughtful and considerate, and that is really the way I will remember him."

Mr Hilder's sister and three of his friends then recited the poem High Flight by American World War II pilot John Magee, who died aged 19 in a mid-air collision.

Mr Hilder's godmother, Jill Barber, recited a poem she had written called Simply For Steve, which contained the lines "you can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back, or you can do what he wants, smile, open your eyes, love and go on."

His girlfriend, Ruth Woodhouse, 24, from Stafford, and naval officer lieutenant Jason Saunders drew laughter when they remembered his love of amateur dramatics.

Hymns during the service included Mr Hilder's favourite, Lord the Light of Your Love is Shining, and music before the service was a collection of his favourites such as Aerosmith's Walk This Way and the themes to Superman and Star Wars.

The funeral service was followed by a private burial attended by close family and friends.

Memorial service

Humberside Police launched a murder inquiry after discovering that the cord on Mr Hilder's main parachute and the strapping on his reserve chute had been deliberately cut.

The equipment was repacked in such a way that Mr Hilder failed to notice that it had been tampered with.

In a statement on Thursday Mr Hilder's parents said they had been astonished at all the messages of support they have been receiving from right across the country.

They said they wanted their son's funeral to be a celebration of his life.

The congregation were asked to make donations in memory of the skydiver to the Herefordshire Instrumental Music Service (Percussion Group) and A Taste For Adventure, an outdoor activity centre for disadvantaged children.

A memorial service for Mr Hilder will be held at the Royal Military College of Science at the Defence Academy in October when students return from their summer vacations.