Full military service for marine

Mourners lined the streets in his home town of Telford

The funeral has taken place of a Royal Marine from Shropshire who died in a suspected suicide blast in Afghanistan alongside two colleagues this month.

Damian Davies, 27, died after they were reportedly approached by a 13-year-old boy pushing a wheelbarrow in which a bomb was hidden in Helmand province.

Hundreds lined the streets as a full military service was held in Telford.

Mr Davies' pregnant widow Joanne and his 18-month-old son Matthew were among mourners at St George's Parish Church.

Marines cap

Mr Davies, from Telford, died alongside two of his fellow Marines, Sergeant John Manuel and Corporal Marc Birch, as a result of the explosion south of Sangin.

Mourners lined the streets on Christmas Eve to bid a final farewell to Marine Davies, a member of the Commando Logistic Regiment.

About 150 Royal Marines attended the 40-minute service.

About 150 Royal Marines attended the service on Christmas Eve

A firing party of 12 from the Commando Logistics Regiment performed a "present arms" as the coffin was carried into the church by six pallbearers from the same regiment.

On top of the coffin, which was draped with the Union flag, was his Royal Marines cap, alongside a Christmas hat.

Pink and white flower tributes included the word "Daddy" and, from his wife, the initials MSHMX, which stood for "My Sexy Husband, Merry Xmas".

A eulogy, delivered by Graham Titchin, Padre of the Commando Training Centre in Lympstone, Devon, spoke of an adventurous little boy who grew up to be a focused and committed Royal Marine and family man.

A guard of honour was formed by about 20 members of the Royal British Legion as the coffin left the church ahead of a private family committal at Telford Crematorium.

The family thanked mourners for donations made to The Royal Marines Benevolent Fund.