Funeral for Afghan death soldier

Hundreds of mourners attended Cpl Lawrence's funeral

More than 500 mourners have attended the funeral of a soldier from Whitby who was killed after stepping on a landmine in southern Afghanistan.

Cpl Damian Lawrence, 25, of the 2nd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment, died on patrol in Helmand province on 17 February.

Colleagues described him as "a great comrade, trusted friend and accomplished soldier".

His funeral was held with military honours at St Hilda's Church in Whitby.

The coffin, draped in the Union flag, was carried in by six soldiers to the U2 song Where The Streets Have No Name.

Cpl Lawrence, who was born in Scarborough, had served in Northern Ireland, Kosovo and twice in Afghanistan since joining the army in 1999.

He leaves behind his partner, Eve, and daughter, Jessica.

Friend's tribute

Chris Anderson, who described himself as one of Cpl Lawrence's closest friends, said he would be greatly missed.

"He was a loyal friend and no matter how upset we were, he would always make us laugh," he said.

"Damo doted on his daughter Jessica. She will grow into a fine young woman who her dad would be proud of.

"And I know she will have around 100 uncles to guide her who will always tell her how brave her dad was."

Cpl Lawrence's parents Alison and Steven sat at the front of the church with his three brothers and partner Eve.

His mother described Cpl Lawrence as "a very special son", whose death had left her "very proud and heartbroken".

Major Matt Adams, Officer Commanding Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team 3, 2nd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards), said: "Corporal Damo Lawrence was a lynchpin within C Company, a special soldier who was deeply popular and deeply professional.

"He died as he lived, leading his men, in a high threat environment under adverse conditions and to the highest standards of the British Army.

"He is irreplaceable."