Funeral for Pte Daniel Wade after death in Afghanistan

The funeral of a soldier from Cheshire who died in a bomb attack in southern Afghanistan has taken place.

Pte Daniel Wade, 20, died along with five colleagues when their Warrior armoured personnel carrier was destroyed by a bomb on 6 March.

He was serving with 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment.

Hundreds of people lined the streets and applause rang out in tribute as the funeral cortege made its way to St Elphin's Church in Warrington.

Pte Wade's coffin, draped in the union jack, was carried into the church by colleagues from his unit as a Guard of Honour was formed by members of the local Royal British Legion.

The mourners were led by his mother Lisa, who was wearing her son's blue Army-issue jacket and carrying his photograph in a frame.

She was accompanied by his sister Stacey and other relatives.

The soldier's fiancee Emma Hickman, who is pregnant with their daughter Lexie, followed close behind.

Flowers sent on behalf of Lexie included a poem on the card dedicated: "To Daddy, my hero. I am so proud of you."

Baby scan

The eulogy was given by Maj Malcolm Birkett, of 3 Yorks, who said Pte Wade was "a quality soldier".

He added: "He is remembered as reliable, honest, hardworking. An up-and-coming young soldier who put great heart into everything that he did.

Pte Wade was serving with 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment

Reading tributes from family and friends, Padre George Perera, acting chaplain of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, said the soldier's passions were cars, motocross bikes and Manchester United.

The chaplain told the service Pte Wade had his fiancee's name etched on his rifle and carried Lexie's baby scan inside his body armour.

As the service concluded and the coffin was carried out of the church, the mourners clapped and Insomnia by Faithless was played.

Sgt Nigel Coupe, 33; Cpl Jake Hartley, 20; Pte Anthony Frampton, 20; Pte Christopher Kershaw, 19, and Pte Daniel Wilford, 21, also died when the bomb planted by the Taliban detonated.

The soldiers had only been in Afghanistan for a few weeks when the explosion happened.