Funeral for marine killed by bomb

Cpl Birch was described as an "outstanding" Royal Marine commando

The funeral for a marine who was killed when explosives hidden in a wheelbarrow were detonated has taken place in the church where he was married.

Cpl Marc Birch, 26, died in Helmand Province in Afghanistan on 12 December.

The military funeral was held at the packed St John the Baptist church in Kingsthorpe, Northampton.

Mourners lined the streets with many wearing red ties, football shirts, and scarves in honour of Cpl Birch's love of Liverpool Football Club.

'Immensely proud'

Speaking in the church, decorated with a Liverpool FC banner and a photograph of Cpl Birch, his father Darryl Birch, said: "I want to say how immensely proud as a father I am to have a son like Birchy.

"From the day Marc left school all he ever wanted to do was to become a Royal Marine commando and follow in the footsteps of his uncles and friends.

"Marc wore his green beret with pride."

The Reverend Jane Butler, who married Cpl Birch and his wife Charlene in August, held the sermon.

The coffin was carried out to You'll Never Walk Alone, and Cpl Birch was buried at Kingsthorpe Cemetery, where the 12-man firing party fired a volley at his graveside.

His widow Charlene said she had "10 fantastic years" with her husband who had "died doing what he loved".

'Impish sense of humour'

Cpl Birch, who came from Kingsthorpe, was killed with Sgt John Manuel and Marine Damian Davies.

His commanding officer Lt Col Jim Morris described "Birchy" as an "outstanding Royal Marine commando and a popular and very capable leader".

"Courageous, determined, warm-hearted and with an impish sense of humour, he demanded high standards from his men but always motivated them by personal example and commitment," said Lt Col Morris.