Funeral for blast death soldier

Guardsman Janes began his army career at Harrogate Foundation College

Hundreds of mourners have attended the funeral of a 20-year-old soldier from Sussex who was killed weeks after arriving in Afghanistan.

Guardsman Jamie Janes, of 1st Battalion The Grenadier Guards, was killed on a foot patrol near Nad-e-Ali district centre in Helmand.

Three of his colleagues were also wounded in the blast on 5 October.

Guardsman Janes, from Brighton, was described by his commanding officer as a "soldier to his heart".

He leaves behind his girlfriend Kate, three brothers - one of whom is serving in the British Army - two sisters and their mother.

'Friend to all'

A full military funeral at St Philip's Church in New Church Road, Hove, was followed by a private burial.

His coffin, covered with a Union flag, arrived at the church on a carriage drawn by four horses.

The order of service quoted comments made at the time of his death by his Commanding Officer, Lt Col Roly Walker.

It read: "Jamie was a soldier to his heart and a friend to all. He knew the dangers he would face in battle but had the courage to keep soldiering."

His life has had direction, purpose and fulfilment Rev Stephen Terry

Fields Of Gold by Eva Cassidy was played at the service and mourners, including his mother Jacqueline, were welcomed by the Rev Stephen Terry, rector of Aldrington Parishes.

He said: "Although Jamie was only 20 years on this earth, there is no doubt that he has left his mark on all those who met him in those few short years."

Mr Terry said it was common for people outside the military to detach themselves from the dangers and sacrifices made by service personnel.

"Jamie's life has not been lived in vain," he said. "His life has had direction, purpose and fulfilment."

Guardsman Janes was born in Stafford and his family moved, when he was aged two, to Brighton where he attended Hove Park Comprehensive School

He began his army career at Harrogate Foundation College aged 16 before moving to the Infantry Training Centre in Catterick.

The funeral procession filed out before his coffin was carried by horse-drawn carriage to Hove Cemetery for private burial.

Guardsman Jamie Janes was killed on a foot patrol in the Helmand Province