By Pam McClounieand Kelly Eve

Last updated at 13:41, Tuesday, 08 July 2008

THE village of Wetheral was packed yesterday as hundreds of mourners paid their respects to Corporal Sarah Bryant – the first British woman to die on active service in Afghanistan.

• Video: Sarah Bryant's funeral

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Mourners filled the sandstone Holy Trinity church, where Cpl Bryant was married two years ago, while others stood in the grounds outside to watch the service, which was relayed on screens.

Soldiers from the Intelligence Corps, in which Cpl Bryant served, lined the path to the 17th century church as her coffin was brought from the hearse by six bearers at noon.

The only sound to be heard was the tolling of the church bell and the crunching of the soldier’s boots on the gravel .

The Union flag blew gently in the breeze.

Cpl Bryant’s beret, belt, medals and a red rose were laid on top of the coffin, which was draped in the Union flag.

Her husband, fellow soldier Cpl Carl Bryant, her parents Des and Maureen Feely, and Cpl Bryant’s parents, followed behind.

Lt Gen Sir John Kiszely, Colonel Commandant of the Intelligence Corps, was among the mourners.

Cpl Bryant, 26, was one of four soldiers killed when a roadside bomb tore through their vehicle during an operation near Lashkar Gah in Helmand province on June 17.

The dedicated soldier, who had been in the Army for six years, was described as the “angel of the north” by her grief-stricken father after her death.

In yesterday’s order of service, a tribute was paid to the other victims of the roadside bomb.

It read: “In memory also of those soldiers who died alongside Sarah, Cpl Sean Robert Reeve, Lance Cpl Richard Larkin and Trooper Paul Stout.”

The funeral service was led by the Rev David Craven, assistant minister at Holy Trinity, and the Rev Clive Larrett, the chaplain from Cpl Bryant’s military base at Chicksands, Bedfordshire.

Lieutenant Colonel Jim Suggit, Cpl Bryant’s commanding officer, told mourners: “We are here because we all in different ways loved Sarah.

“Love is a totality – it’s an is or an isn’t, there’s no half measures.

“Sarah gave us all love, the special and individual love of a daughter, wife, a friend and a comrade in arms.

“This is a special place, it’s filled with Sarah’s love.”

Lt Col Suggit said grief was a price we pay for love and went on to pay tribute to the fallen soldier as a professional servicewoman.

He said: “Sarah did not just give her best, she gave her all.”

Tributes have come from across the world since her death and he said her warmth, humour, drive and vitality touched everyone who knew her.

He also read out the poignant poem beginning: “Do not stand at my grave and weep... ”

Finally, his voice breaking with emotion, he said: “We remember the sparkle you brought us and ever will.

“Meet you at the final RV (rendezvous).

“God bless.”

The Rev Clive Larrett then gave a family tribute on behalf of Cpl Bryant's closest loved ones.

He said there would be no traditional eulogy from her family or husband Carl but that Carl had asked him to read a personal tribute on his behalf.

Mr Larrett said: “All the things that made me love her will stay with me.

“The way we both were with each other, a far cry from the corporals Bryant or Carl and Sarah most of you know.

“We were all privileged to have known Sarah.

“She will never be replaced, she was a one-off, a truly unique person.

“She was my best friend and soul-mate and I will never stop loving her.

“Sleep well, my darling, you always did love sleeping.”

The tribute continued: “Sarah was funny, kind and the most amazing person to be around.

“I will never stop being thankful for the time I spent being her husband. I love her now and always will with all my heart.

“My wife was a truly special person who died a hero.

“Sarah, along with all our fallen, must never be forgotten.”

Hymns sung at the service included O God, Our Help in Ages Past and Abide with Me.

After the service, the hearse was driven the short distance from the riverside church to Wetheral Cemetery. Mourners followed on foot.

At the graveside 18 shots were fired by six riflemen, two from each military service – the Army, the Navy and the RAF because of the way the forces work together in Afghanistan. Cpl Bryant’s beret and the Union flag were given to her husband.

Floral tributes from Sarah’s family were laid next to the coffin in the hearse.

A tribute from her dad read: “My darling Sarah. This is the hardest thing I will ever have to do so hold my hand and help me through. Daddy xxxx.”

A floral tribute from her best friend Krista Whelpdale read: “Goodbye is not forever. Goodbye is not the end. It simply means I’ll miss you until we meet again.

“Sleep well Sarah. I know you will still be with us at our wedding next year as bridesmaid.” Krista and Gareth xxx

Police closed off roads in Wetheral for a short time before and after the service.

Villagers came out of their houses to pay their respects and television cameras gathered on The Green.

The cortege left Sarah’s family home in Cotehill just before noon.

Mourners included friends and relatives and Andy Abernethy, headteacher at Caldew School where Sarah was educated. In the centre of Wetheral the Union flag flew at half mast.

Donations from Sarah’s funeral were being divided between Help For Heroes and The Army Benevolent Fund.

The funeral arrangements were made by Walkers Funeral Directors in Carlisle.

The News & Star attended Sarah’s funeral with the permission of the Army.

For video and tributes to Sarah see the News & Star’s website www.newsandstar.co.uk

First published at 11:42, Tuesday, 08 July 2008
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk