By Pam McClounie

Last updated 19:07, Tuesday, 24 June 2008

They came to say goodbye to the “little guy with a big heart” who died serving his country.

Pte Charles David Murray's coffin is carried in to St James’ Church in Denton Holme

• Images: photos of Pte Charles David Murray's funeral
• Video: Funeral of Pte Charles David Murray

Hundreds of mourners gathered to pay their final respects today to Carlisle soldier Private Charles David Murray, 19, who was killed in Afghanistan by a suicide bomber earlier this month.

Tributes were paid to the fallen serviceman in front of a packed congregation at St James’ Church in Denton Holme, many remembering the dedicated soldier with “the cheeky grin”.

Afterwards they were to say a final goodbye to him as the teenager was laid to rest with full military honours at the city’s cemetery.

Veteran soldiers from the Parachute regiment Pte Murray served with had formed a guard of honour and lined the path to St James’ church as the coffin bearing their fallen comrade’s body drew up at 11am.

Draped in a Union flag and with the beret of Pte Murray on top, the coffin was gently removed from the hearse and carried by six bearers into the church to the song Wind Beneath My Wings, sung by Bette Midler.

Heartfelt tributes were paid to the former Trinity school pupil in front at a service conducted by the Reve John Libby and Padre Paul Green.
Pte Murray’s uncle, Warrant Officer Class Two (WO2), Andrew Murray, serving with the Royal Marines, said: “David was just a normal boy. Sometimes he was angry but then he would give me that cheeky grin.

“We would watch him play rugby. He was one of the smallest on the field but he never gave up.

“He is a diamond in the sky shining in our hearts.”

A tribute was also paid by Sergeant Ryan Swindale, David’s platoon boss during his training in Harrogate.

He talked of his memories of David on the rugby field during a tour the British Army took to Australia.

He said: “During one of the games a fight broke out between David and another player. He came off the field with a cheeky grin and said to me ‘we may have lost the game but we definitely won that battle’.

“David had a broken jaw and a cracked cheekbone and ended up in hospital.

“He was a great recruit and a great asset to his platoon.”

After the service at St James’ church the cortege made its way to Carlisle Cemetery where Pte Murray was laid to rest with full military honours.

Three shots were fired at 12.40pm as Pte Murray was laid to rest.

The hearse carrying his coffin drew into the cemetery where para soldiers formed a guard of honour.

Six soldiers carefully carried Pte Murray’s coffin to its final resting place where they folded the flag draped over the coffin and handed that, and his beret, to Pte Murray’s mum.

Silence fell across the cemetery as three shots were fired before lone bugler Lance Corporal Ryall, from Pte Murray’s regiment, played the Last Post.

Red roses and petals were then thrown onto Pte Murray’s coffin.

Today’s funeral service was attended by Major General Jacko Page, of The Parachute Regiment and Rear Admiral Johnston-Burt, Commander of the Joint Helicopter Command.

Mourners also included Carlisle MP Eric Martlew, Carlisle Mayoress Jacqueline Geddes and Alan Mottershead, head of Trinity School.

A reception for David’s family, friends and former colleagues was held after the burial at The Bay in Denton Holme.