HUNDREDS of people gathered at a Kidderminster church today for the funeral of Lance Corporal Richard Brandon who was killed in Afghanistan.

The 24-year-old, of Broom Crescent, died instantly when his vehicle hit an Improvised Explosive Device, on September 2, south of Gereshk in Helmand Province.

Friends, family, fellow soldiers and officers, filled St George’s Church, in Radford Avenue, for the funeral with full military honours.

Mourners also stood outside the church and listened to the service, led by Rev Hugh Burton, through speakers.

There was an applause from the waiting crowd, as the hearse, containing flowers from his family, arrived at the church.

L/Cpl Brandon’s coffin, draped in a Union Jack flag, was carried into the church through a guard of honour by army colleagues to the song, I’m Amazed By You, by Bryan Adams.

L/Cpl Brandon chose the song for his wedding to his fiancee Emma-Jayne Webster.

His parents, Anne and Geoff, Miss Webster, 27, daughter Kaitlin, three, and stepsons, Martyn Raszke, 12 and Liam Raszke-Webster, nine, were among the family members who followed the coffin into the church.

Miss Webster wept as she paid tribute to her “best friend” and “soul mate” who she was due to marry in August next year.

She spoke about her memories of their holidays together and about him as a devoted father and family man.

“When I got caught with Kaitlin he was over the moon and refused to leave my bump alone,” she said.

“When she was out he leaned over the bed and said ‘hello Kaitlin, I’m your daddy'.

“You would’ve thought he was the first dad in the world. He took to being a dad like a duck to water.”

She added: “Richie was an absolute darling with the things he did. He far exceeded my expectations with everything he did and all he became.

“My best friend and my soul mate. When he proposed I was so happy.”

She added she would always be honoured to have had the time she had with Richard who she said had touched her life.

“He loved being a soldier,” she said. “He was a squaddie through and through.

“I know he died knowing he was greatly loved and missed by me and the kids. We were his world.

“I find comfort in knowing how much he appreciated my dedication to him.

“Richie, I love you with all my heart and I always will.”

L/Cpl Brandon’s sister, Denise, also paid tribute to him.

She said: “I have 24 years of memories and I will keep each one with me in my heart always.”

A volley of shots were let off before L/Cpl Brandon’s coffin was carried out of the church. A private ceremony was held at Stourbridge crematorium.