Funeral of suicide blast soldier

Hundreds of mourners gathered to pay their respects to a Royal Marine from Tyneside who was killed in a suspected suicide bomb attack in Afghanistan.

Sgt John Manuel, from Gateshead, died with two colleagues when a wheelbarrow filled with explosives was pushed into them by a suspected bomber, aged 13.

The 38-year-old, described as a hero by his family, was approaching the end of his career in the Royal Marines.

He received full military honours at Newcastle's St Mary's Cathedral.

A colour party lined the street as the marine's coffin - draped with a Union flag - was carried into the cathedral for the service on Monday morning.

A message on a floral tribute from his mother Pauline read: "My precious beautiful son.

"My heart is broken, you will be in my thoughts everyday forever. God take care of you. My hero. Rest in peace."

During the service mourners sang I Vow to Thee, My Country and Abide with Me, while tributes were led by Sgt Manuel's brothers Trevor, 33, and Jimmy, 35.

After the service the coffin travelled the short distance to Saltwell Cemetery in Gateshead, where his body was laid to rest.

Sgt Manuel died alongside Cpl Marc Birch and Marine Damian Davies in the blast in Helmand province on 13 December.

The explosion killed Sgt Manuel and Cpl Birch at the scene, while Marine Davies died later in hospital at Camp Bastion.

Sgt Manuel and Cpl Birch were serving with 45 Commando. Marine Davies was with the Commando Logistics Regiment.

A veteran of campaigns in Iraq, Belize and Kosovo, Sgt Manuel was nearing the end of his career in the Marines, and hoped to join the police force.

Maj Richard Maltby, his company commander, said his thoughts were with his partner Rachel.

"A limitless 'ball of fire', Sgt Manuel was at the forefront of company life."

Sgt Sean McKeown, who knew Sgt Manuel for nearly 20 years, said: "He had the courage of a lion and the personality of a hundred men."

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