Scots bomb disposal hero Gary O'Donnell laid to rest

MOURNERS watched in silence yesterday as the Union Jack-draped coffin of an Army bomb disposal expert was carried into church by members of his regiment.

Warrant Officer Class 2 Gary O'Donnell, from Edinburgh, died in an explosion in Afghanistan earlier this month, as he attempted to safeguard the lives of his comrades.

Yesterday afternoon police closed the road to the church in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, and escorted the funeral procession, led by an undertaker at walking pace, to the service, as a piper played.

Members of the 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment Royal Logistic Corps then carried the coffin the few metres from the hearse into St Peter The Apostle RC Church, past rifle-bearing servicemen and women who bowed their heads.

WO O'Donnell, who was awarded the George Medal for his work in southern Iraq in 2006 and had almost 17 years of military experience, died on September 10 in Helmand province.

The 40-year-old father-of-four, who lived in Leamington Spa, was killed by an improvised explosive device during attempts to clear a route for other soldiers in Musa Qaleh.

His funeral service was conducted by Father Andrew Lloyd, Senior Chaplain at 43 (Wessex) Brigade, and was not attended by members of the media at the family's request.

Captain Dom Prtak, a fellow member of the regiment, read the collect for the Royal Logistical Corps which asked God that "wherever we serve... we may sustain our comrades".

Later WO O'Donnell's commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Richard Maybery, shared his memories of the soldier.

The congregation listened as the Last Post was played before a volley of shots was fired outside the church.

A cremation attended by close family was being held afterwards at Oakley Wood Crematorium in Bishop's Tachbrook.

Paying tribute shortly after WO O'Donnell's death, his wife Toni said her husband had been "living the dream" by serving his country and that he would be missed greatly.

Lieutenant Colonel Dave Wilson, the Commander of Joint Force Engineer Group, described Gary, who was known as Gaz, as a hugely talented and unbelievably brave man who was at the very top of his extremely dangerous and difficult trade.

"He took immense pride in making places safer for other people," the officer said.

"The danger to his own life rarely seemed to affect him. If it did, he kept it to himself."