Hundreds gather to remember Herts Soldier

11 November 2010, 13:16 | Updated: 12 November 2010, 12:15

Hundreds of people have turned out to pay their respects to a 24-year old soldier killed while clearing bombs in Afghanistan last month.

The funeral of Corporal David Barnsdale was held at St Peter and Paul Church in Tring, which was then followed by a private burial.

Corporal Barnsdale was killed by a roadside bomb on October 19th in a area east of Gereshk.

He was serving with 33 Engineer Regiment based at Woodbridge in Suffolk and was on his second tour of duty in Afghanistan.

Corporal Barnsdale’s Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Simon Bell spoke during the service:

“One of the best of the best, Corporal Barnsdale was a dedicated and brave individual. He will be missed by his regiment, the corps of the Royal Engineers and all for those fortunate to have known him.

“He embodied finest traditions of a soldier and a leader. Constantly displaying the required grit and determination. He was utterly professional and an absolute inspiration to us all.”

His mother Wendy, father Stephen, sister Vanessa and girlfriend Helen described him as a "hugely popular guy.”