Funeral service held for marine

Marine Mackin's brother is also serving in Afghanistan

The funeral has taken place for a Royal Marine from Devon who was killed while on patrol in southern Afghanistan.

Marine Travis Mackin, from Plymouth, died on 11 January in an explosion in Kajaki in northern Helmand Province.

At the time he was leading his team in a joint operation between 45 Commando Group Royal Marines and Afghan troops to destroy a key Taleban command cell.

Hundreds of mourners gathered for his funeral service at St Andrew's Church in Plymouth.

Marine Mackin was a member of Communications Squadron, United Kingdom Landing Force Command Support Group operating as part of 45 Commando Royal Marines.

Rifleman Corbin Mackin, of 1st Battalion, The Rifles, who was also serving in Afghanistan, accompanied his older brother's body back to the UK for a repatriation service at RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire.

Gun salute

At his funeral fellow marines carried out a gun salute and people lined the streets of the city as the hearse bearing his flag-draped coffin drove past.

Inside was a white floral tribute spelling out his name.

In a statement released at the funeral, a spokesman for the UK Landing Force Command Support Group said Marine Mackin was "courageous and professional".

Hundreds of mourners gathered to pay their respects to Marine Mackin

"It is a sad day for the corps but we have come here today for Marine Mackin, to pay tribute to him, to celebrate his life and to support his family," he added.

Marine Mackin was the 139th member of British forces to die since the start of operations in October 2001.

In a statement, Marine Mackin's family said: "Today we say goodbye to a much loved son and brother who will be in our hearts and minds forever.

"Travis died for his country doing a job he loved and as a family we are so proud of him and everything he achieved in his short life.

"He was a courageous and loving man who was an inspiration to us all and our lives will be a much quieter place without his infectious sense of humour and quick wit."

Speaking after his death, Marine Mackin's girlfriend, Laura, described him as "irreplaceable".

"To me he was the most honourable, unselfish and caring person I have ever known and he never ceased to make me laugh," she added.

"I will miss him beyond words but equally I am so proud to have known this wonderful man."