Derbyshire soldier's family 'proud of son'

The coffin was carried by colleagues from the Grenadier Guards

Hundreds of mourners have attended the funeral of a Derbyshire soldier killed in Afghanistan.

Lance Sergeant David Greenhalgh, 25, from Ilkeston, was killed in an explosion last month and was one of the first casualties of a recent offensive.

At the service at St Mark's Church, Mansfield, Captain James Shaw described him as "loyal and patriotic".

His family, some of whom live in Pembrokeshire, said he was a "big character" who would be sadly missed.

L/Sgt Greenhalgh's father, Steve, said a letter his son left behind made him proud.

In the letter, he wrote: "I've always said that there is no greater sacrifice than to die in service of God, Queen and country, there is no greater honour."

L/Sgt Dave Greenhalgh died in an explosion while on vehicle patrol

Mr Greenhalgh's father said: "I'll be looking at that every other day for the rest of my days.

"We were told what had happened, David had certainly died in an explosion. We were relieved to hear it was very quick.

"One of the boys had said if you could choose 10 lads out of the regiment that were bulletproof, Dave would have been right at the top of the list.

"Bulletproof Dave, that's the way we perceived him, because he was such a big character."

L/Sgt Greenhalgh was serving with 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards when he was killed.

His commanding officer said he paid the "ultimate sacrifice" as his section helped secure a route for a patrol.

Some 4,000 British troops are involved in the Moshtarak offensive against the Taliban.