Final tribute to 'model' soldier

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Colleagues paid tribute to L/Cpl Chris Harkett as someone who had great pride and could raise the spirits of his fellow soldiers

Hundreds of people have paid tribute to a soldier, called a "typical Welsh warrior" who was killed in Afghanistan.

Mourners packed St Peter's church in Pontardawe, Swansea, for the funeral of L/Cpl Chris Harkett, 22.

His commander said L/Cpl Harkett, who was killed in a blast in Musa Qala, Helmand on 14 March, was "Welsh to the core" and a "model soldier".

Family were led into the church by the sound of bagpipes. Hundreds also followed the service outside.

L/Cpl Harkett's widow Danielle, his parents, Gerwyn and Alicia and his brother Kyle, were among the last to enter the church.

He died as he lived - trying to do the best he could, trying to look after his mates, putting the needs of others before himself Rev Anthony Roache, regiment chaplain

A uniformed guard of honour carried the coffin, draped with a Union flag, into the church.

Hundreds of others stood in silence outside, as the service was relayed over loudspeakers.

L/Cpl Harkett was a member of a highly trained elite group of snipers with the Second Battalion Royal Welsh Regiment, who died covering fire to protect his fellow soldiers.

Details of his courage were given in an address by regimental chaplain, the Rev Anthony Roache.

"He was in the heat of battle, concerned to be doing the best that he could," he told mourners.

"Aware of the tactical situation, with heart pounding and adrenaline pumping, he knew that he would be better use in a different position.

The funeral was held in L/Cpl Harkett's home town, Pontardawe

"So, ignoring the danger, he ran to it, only to find that the enemy had been there first.

"He died as he lived. Trying to do the best he could, trying to look after his mates, putting the needs of others before himself."

"A typical Welsh warrior - a human being fully alive."

L/Cpl Harkett, nicknamed "H", trained in Yorkshire before joining the battalion in March 2004 in Germany, where he had been born.

'Inspire others'

He had followed in the footsteps of both his father and grandfather by joining the Army, and trained as a medic, a gunner and a signaller.

His commanding officer, Lt Col James Swift described him as a "rising star with talent".

"He was not just a soldier of six years standing he had been a part of the battalion for 22 years," Lt Col Swift said.

He said L/Cpl Harkett had a justifiable sense of his own self-confidence but who possessed "the spark to inspire others to follow him".

Lt Col Swift added: "He could always be relied upon to do the right thing under pressure.

"He was Welsh to the core. A model soldier and an example to us all, a great friend and the very best type of man."

Colleague and officer Maj Matt Lewis said it was typical that he had chosen to train as a sniper, dedicating himself to the protection of others.

"It speaks volumes about the way he lived his life. It was always about other people," Maj Lewis said.