Soldier buried at military base

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A Parachute Regiment soldier who was killed in Iraq has been buried at RAF Credenhill, near Hereford.

Sergeant Eddie Collins died on 5 September during an operation "in support of ongoing coalition activity", the Ministry of Defence said.

It has been reported that he was on a special forces mission and was a member of the Special Air Service (SAS).

Sgt Collins' funeral, which was held in a chapel at the base, was televised live to his colleagues overseas.

'Loving family man'

He was laid to rest in the new cemetery at the camp.

Sgt Collins' commanding officer described the father-of-two as "a champion soldier, a proud and loving family man and a great friend".

He said: "He died a warrior, on the battlefield, leading from the front, doing a job he loved in the service of his friends, his regiment, his family and his country. He will never be forgotten."

His death brought to 169 the number of UK armed forces personnel or MoD civilians who have died in Iraq since the start of the campaign in March 2003.