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Funeral for bomb victim soldier Funeral for bomb victim soldier
(about 11 hours later)
The funeral of a 19-year-old soldier who was serving in Afghanistan alongside his two brothers when he was killed takes place in Kent later. Hundreds of people have lined the streets in north Kent to pay tribute to a soldier who died in Afghanistan.
Rifleman Daniel Holkham, who was killed by a suicide bomber last month, was serving in 3rd Battalion The Rifles, Rifleman Daniel Holkham, 19, of the 3rd Battalion The Rifles was killed by a suicide bomber last month.
His brothers Matthew, 20, and Andrew, 18, who were serving with the same battalion, were allowed leave to return to the UK following his death. His brothers Matthew, 20, and Andrew, 18, who were serving with the same battalion, were allowed leave to act as pallbearers at his funeral on Friday.
He will be laid to rest after a service in Eastchurch, on the Isle of Sheppey. Four other comrades helped them carry the Union flag-draped coffin into All Saints Church on the Isle of Sheppey.
'Great pride' The church bells tolled as Rifleman Holkham's parents Rodney and Tracy and girlfriend Nikki Rudd followed them into the building.
In a statement at the time of his death, his parents Rodney and Tracy said: "The loss of our son Danny has left a huge hole in our lives and that of his brothers and friends that can never again be filled. 'Brave boy'
"He served his country faithfully and with great pride." A tribute read on behalf of his parents said: "How can you sum up your feelings for someone you have loved so much for more than 19 years, have seen grow into a man, sat at his side when he was ill and have tried to be there for him at every step of the way?
Ltn Col Nick Kitson, Commanding Officer, 3 Rifles Battle Group, said: "Rifleman Holkham was well established as the lead man in his patrol, responsible for searching the ground for buried explosive devices to allow his patrol to pass safely. Daniel Holkham, and his two brothers, were all in the same battalion
"Danny was a quiet, brave boy who took everything in his stride. He never really made a fuss about anything and would more often than not just laugh problems away.
"And, boy, once he started laughing that was it. He would end up with tears rolling down his face and then we would all join in."
Earlier, hundreds of people who lined the streets outside All Saints Church clapped as his hearse passed them.
In a statement at the time of his death, Ltn Col Nick Kitson, Commanding Officer, 3 Rifles Battle Group, said: "Rifleman Holkham was well established as the lead man in his patrol, responsible for searching the ground for buried explosive devices to allow his patrol to pass safely.
"He died at the head of his patrol, another unquestioningly courageous Rifleman intercepting a crazed suicide bomber before he could cause havoc in the Sangin bazaar.""He died at the head of his patrol, another unquestioningly courageous Rifleman intercepting a crazed suicide bomber before he could cause havoc in the Sangin bazaar."
Funeral for blast death soldier