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Funeral of Marine shot in Helmand Funeral of Marine shot in Helmand
(about 3 hours later)
The funeral of a 20-year-old Royal Marine shot dead on Christmas Eve in a fire-fight with the Taleban takes place later in Norfolk. More than 600 people filled the pews at a village church in Norfolk for the funeral of a Royal Marine killed in Afghanistan on Christmas Eve.
L/Cpl Benjamin Whatley, from Tittleshall, was serving with 42 Commando in Helmand province. Lance Corporal Ben Whatley, 20, of Tittleshall, died leading his men into action in Helmand Province.
The funeral will be held at St Mary's Church in East Raynham. About 70 marine comrades from his unit, 42 Commando, were among those attending St Mary's Church in East Raynham.
His commanding officer Lt Col Charlie Stickland said he was a member of a "combat-hardened band of warriors" and an uncompromising friend. During the service, Luke Whatley, 22, described his brother as "kind, loving, charming, wild and untameable".
"He was never controlled, only ever guided by the marines, his friends and mother," he said.
"Ben didn't walk the path of life - he ran, jumped, hopped and skipped, normally in the direction of the pub."
L/Cpl Whatley had been due to return home on 8 January, when his parents, Sam, 54, a retired solicitor, and his wife Teresa, 52, a hairdressing lecturer, had planned to hold a belated Christmas celebration.
Popular soldier
Family friend Peter Fabian also read a tribute to his godson - "a marine through and through".
"Ben was a very vibrant person. He lived every day as if it was his last.
"He packed more into his 20 years than most do in 60."
The service was relayed outside on loudspeakers to more than 50 people who could not fit inside the church, where there was standing room only.
Corporal Buster Brown, 28, a close friend, said: "Many more in Afghanistan will be thinking about him today."
L/Cpl Whatley's coffin was met with a rifle salute from members of his unit as it was carried out of church to be taken to a private family cremation.