Funeral for 'lion-hearted' marine

Nearly 600 mourners turned out for the funeral of a "lion-hearted" marine killed in a booby trap in Afghanistan.

Cpl Rob Deering died going to the aid of comrades whose vehicle was left stranded in a roadside bomb explosion.

The 33-year-old marine was approaching their personnel carrier when a second bomb went off and killed him in Lashkar Gah, Helmand Province, on 21 December.

Family and friends gathered at St Giles Church in Sheldon in Birmingham on Wednesday to pay tribute to him.

In a written statement issued before the service, Cpl Deering's mother, Karen Waspe, said she was "so proud" of her son who "grew from a child with a heart of gold to a man with a heart of a lion".

'Forever home'

She said it was clear from all the tributes received that he had been much loved and respected.

Cpl Deering's fiancee, Gemma Polino, said she would "always feel like half of me is missing".

Ms Polino added: "Rob and I had been together for five years and were planning to get married and have a baby when Rob came home.

"We bought our house as our forever home.

"I am so proud of Rob and always supported him with everything.

"We had so much fun together and were always laughing, giggling and grinning."

Warrant Officer (First Class) Craig Riach told mourners that Cpl Deering, who was born and raised in Castle Bromwich, Solihull, was "reliable, trustworthy and always there to look after the men who worked for him.

"He was an inspiration to them all."

WO Riach said Cpl Deering lived his life according to the commando's motto of "cheerfulness in the face of adversity", and "died doing a job he loved".

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