Tributes paid as Royal Navy officer is laid to rest

THE widow of a Royal Navy officer shot dead on a nuclear submarine described their children as "our four precious stars that continue to shine in what seems like total darkness" at his funeral.

Lieutenant Commander Ian Molyneux, 36, from Standish, Wigan, died after being shot during an incident on board HMS Astute when it was docked in Southampton on 8 April.

Gillian, his wife, yesterday accompanied their four children at the funeral service at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in his home town of Wigan. Royal Navy sailors in uniform, many colleagues of Lt Cdr Molyneux during his 20 years in the Senior Service, lined the streets outside as the funeral cortege arrived for the midday service.

Lt Cdr Molyneux's two eldest sons proudly displayed their own military uniforms; Jamie, 13, wore his Marine cadet's uniform and his grandfather's campaign medals, and Arron, 12, wore his own Navy Cadet uniform.

The boys flanked their mother, who clutched the hands of her two youngest children, Bethany, six, and three-year-old Charlie, who was wearing a Wigan Warriors RLFC kit.

Mrs Molyneux gave a moving eulogy at the service. She said: "Before we met I had never imagined I would ever find someone who would truly love, cherish and support me, such a person could not possibly exist.

In meeting Ian I learned such a person did exist and in Ian I have found my soulmate."

Mrs Molyneux said the time together with her husband, their relationship, marriage and raising their children was "little and precious".

Her voice breaking with emotion, Mrs Molyneux continued: "Last week I found myself trying to explain to our children that their daddy, that loved them so much and they loved so dearly, would not be coming home and I found myself questioning the future.

"But the future stands here before me today in our four precious stars that continue to shine in what seems like total darkness and in them Ian continues to live on."

She added: "Ian, this is for every moment we have spent together, every kiss, every embrace, for all the times you were there when I needed you, all the times I was distressed and you calmed my fears.

"For all the times you have understood and supported me, for all the beautiful memories, all the love we shared, for all the little things you have done for me.

"This is from my heart to thank you for everything you have ever done for me."

• Able Seaman Ryan Donovan, 22, of Hillside Road, Dartford, Kent, has been charged with the murder of Lt Cdr Molyneux and remanded in custody.