First female soldier to die fighting in Afghan war is laid to rest

THEY carried her remains on their shoulders to the church where she had wed, beaming with hope and expectation, just two years earlier.

Comrades in arms, now united in grief, yesterday bore the coffin of Corporal Sarah Bryant, draped in the union flag, with her beret, belt, campaign medals and a single red rose on top.

The first female soldier killed in Afghanistan, whose funeral took place at Holy Trinity Church in Wetheral, Cumbria, was described by her family as their "Angel of the North".

Cpl Carl Bryant, who had married her in the same church just two years before, explained in a eulogy, read out by the minister, that "she was my best friend and soul mate and I will never stop loving her".

A dedicated soldier, who joined the army six years ago and lived for the job, Cpl Bryant, 26, was one of four fatalities when a roadside bomb tore through their vehicle during an operation near Lashkar Gah, Helmand province, on 17 June.

Reverend Clive Larrett read out Carl Bryant's words of loving devotion to his wife as about 300 hushed mourners listened. He said: "All the things that made me love her will stay with me.

"We were all privileged to have known Sarah. She will never be replaced. She was a one-off, a truly unique person. She was my best friend and soul-mate and I will never stop loving her. Sleep well, my darling, you always did love sleeping.

"Sarah was funny, kind and the most amazing person to be around. I will never stop being thankful for the time I spent being her husband. I love her now and always will, with all my heart. My wife was a truly special person who died a hero. Sarah, along with all our fallen, must never be forgotten."

A photograph of the happy couple on their wedding day, the bride in flowing white dress and carrying a bouquet of roses, featured in yesterday's order of service.

On that day, neighbours stood on doorsteps for the popular girl, known for riding horses through the village, to wish her well. Yesterday they did the same, only this time they all wore black.

Mourners filled the church while others stood in the grounds outside to watch on screens as the service began.

Rev Larrett said having spoken to her husband and family, if Sarah could speak to them one last time, he was sure what her words would be. She would tell them, he said, not to lose heart, not to give up, but to keep going and press on in their lives and work. "She would simply want us to get the job done," he added.

The order of service also paid tribute to the other fatalities of the same roadside bomb.

It read: "In memory also of those soldiers who died alongside Sarah, Cpl Sean Robert Reeve, L-Cpl Richard Larkin and Trooper Paul Stout."

Intelligence Corps Regimental Sergeant Major Rob Bright read the regimental collect or prayer, which asks God to grant true wisdom so "thy people may live their lives in freedom and in peace to thy glory and the welfare of this realm".

The whole congregation stood for the final hymn, Abide With Me, before Cpl Bryant's coffin was carried from the church as the service ended.

Her husband, red-eyed and fighting back tears, followed the coffin alongside her mother, then her father and other family members came close behind. The mourners then joined the procession, walking the short way to the graveside for a private burial.

A bugler played The Last Post and seven soldiers from the Intelligence Corps fired three volleys over her coffin before it was laid to rest as family and friends said their farewells.

'Sarah did not just give her best. She gave her all'

AMONG the most moving tributes paid to Corporal Bryant was delivered by Lieutenant-Colonel Jim Suggit, her commanding officer.

At times, the veteran soldier had to fight back his emotions as he told his fellow mourners at the funeral: "We are here because we all in different ways loved Sarah. Love is a totality – it's an 'is' or an 'is not'; there are no half measures.

"Sarah gave us all love, the special and individual love of a daughter, wife, a friend and a comrade in arms. This is a special place, it's filled with Sarah's love."

Lt-Col Suggit said – paraphrasing the words of CS Lewis – that grief was a price we pay for love, and he went on to pay tribute to the fallen soldier as a professional servicewoman.

Tributes have come from across the world since her death, and he said her warmth, humour, drive and vitality touched everyone who knew her.

"Sarah did not just give her best. She gave her all," said Lt-Col Suggit. He also read out the poem by Mary Elizabeth Frye that begins: "Do not stand at my grave and weep…"

Finally, with his voice breaking with emotion, he said: "We remember the sparkle you brought us and ever will. Meet you at the final RV (rendezvous]. God bless."