A SOLDIER from Worcester who died a hero while on duty in Afghanistan has been fondly remembered at his funeral as a man who brought joy to all who knew him.

About 500 mourners packed into the Church of St George in Barbourne yesterday to celebrate the life and achievements of Private Jason Williams - the city’s first fallen soldier from recent conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The funeral, with full military honours, was very moving, sombre and observed in near silence by friends, family and commrades clearly struggling to come to terms with their loss.

Towards the beginning of the service Pte Williams' mum Linda and 28-year-old sister Jennifer Williams became the first people in the region to be presented with the Elizabeth Cross - a sterling silver emblem granted to families of Armed Forces personnel in recognition of their loss - as well as a scroll signed by the Queen.

Speaking after the service Worcester Mayor Councillor Andy Roberts said: “It was an incredibly moving occasion. It was very sombre and unusually silent. As the Mayor I can speak on behalf of the people of Worcester and I can say we all feel for Linda. Although we know nothing can bring back her son back she should be very proud.”

Pte Williams died in an explosion in Helmand province while trying to retrieve the body of a fallen Afghan comrade on Saturday, August 8. The 23-year-old who was destined to become a senior soldier was serving with the 2nd Battalion Mercian Regiment (Worcesters and Foresters).

The service of celebration and thanksgiving started with Pte Williams’ coffin, draped in the Union flag and covered with white lilies and roses, being carried into the church by six Mercian soldiers to the sound of Sir Edward Elgar’s Nimrod.

Pte Williams’ mum and sister Jennifer stoically held back the tears as they followed on behind with other close family members.

After Green Day’s Time of Your Life was played, Reverend Colin Butler, chaplain of 143 (WM) Brigade, read out tributes from fellow soldiers. It was in these that Pte Williams’ “amazing cheerfulness" and winning smile came to the fore.

A tribute given by Private Aaron Davis, also of Worcester, at the time of Pte Williams’ death was read out. It said: "Williams was the best type of friend. He made you feel good no matter what. He would always be smiling and you could not help but smile with him. He didn't have a bad bone in his body - a top bloke and he would go out of his way to help if he could.”

Mourners were told Pte Williams was ‘lost’ before he joined the Army.

Mr Butler said: “Jason saw himself as having a future in the Army and he was clearly seen as a senior soldier in the making. He wanted to become a medic in order to help those around him.”

Father Ian Pearson, parish priest, said it was “tragic” that Pte Williams had died so young and urged people to not only remember him, but follow his example.

In reference to Pte Williams’ life motto - “A man is not finished when he is defeated. A man is finished when he quits.” - of which some of his friends have since had a tattoo of, Mr Pearson said: “Don’t stop remembering, don’t stop saying ‘thank you’, don’t stop supporting each other. You may be defeated by what life can throw at you, but you won’t be finished.”

Hymns and prayers followed before Pte Williams’ coffin was carried back out to the hearse to Jeff Buckley’s version of Hallelujah.

Speaking outside the church, Brigadier Sharpe, who presented the Elizabeth Crosses, paid tribute to Pte Williams. He said: "He was a big guy in every sense - big sense of humour and huge enthusiasm.

"He was a first-class man and a first-class soldier. The Mercian Regiment is a family and Jason Williams was a part of that family."

A volley of gun shots was fired at the private burial service at Worcester Crematorium.

Hundreds of people lined the streets of Wootton Bassett in Wiltshire to pay their respects to a Hereford soldier, killed in explosions in Afghanistan.

The body of Sergeant Paul McAleese, 29, of 2nd Battalion The Rifles, was flown home yesterday. He was killed in Helmand province on August 20.

* Please click below for the full eulogy from Father Ian Pearson.
Jason Williams address.doc