Farewell to 'a man of infinite courage' (From Redhill And Reigate Life)

Farewell to 'a man of infinite courage'

5:20pm Tuesday 27th October 2009

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The fiancée of a Redhill soldier killed in Afghanistan sobbed as she read a heartbreaking poem at his funeral service today with the words: "If love alone could have saved you, you never would have died."

Anastasia Newman said "a part of me went with you" when Lance Corporal James Hill, 23, died in an explosion just outside the main UK base Camp Bastion in Helmand Province on October 8.

The soldier, from Mortar Platoon, 1st Battalion, The Coldstream Guards, was described as someone who lived up to the regimental motto - Second To None.

Miss Newman told mourners: "You never said I'm leaving; Just see you soon, not goodbye; But you were gone before I knew it; And only God knows why.

"In my heart you hold a place that no one will ever fill."

Following the reading, Kryptonite by Three Doors Down was played because Miss Newman said "if anything happened to him, he wanted it played loudly".

Earlier, she clasped the hand of L/Cpl Hill's mother Claire as they stood alongside his father Brian looking on as the coffin, draped with the Union flag, arrived at church.

Outside St Matthew's Church in Redhill hundreds of people fell silent as six pall bearers carried in his coffin, topped with his regimental cap and belt and a wreath of poppies.

Moments after the coffin was brought into church, a member of the public broke the silence and bellowed "Three cheers for the soldier" before the crowd broke into applause.

Inside, Mrs Hill paid tribute to her only child, describing him throughout his years and how he "revelled in the adventure of life and inspired others" to do the same.

Her voice breaking with emotion, she said: "James Michael Hill, our treasured son, a devoted fiancé, a much-loved grandson, nephew, big cousin James, a caring and supportive friend to so many.

"James, a child filled with joy, a zest for life, always smiling, loving piano-playing, loving poetry, having fun. A child who gave love freely, who befriended everybody he met.

"James the teenager, hair grown long, ears pierced, and truly gravity-defying genes. Skateboards, guitars and loud music - very, very loud music.

"A young man so proud of his regiment, given guidance and a sense of purpose, showing dedication to be the best of the best and living up to the motto Nulli Secundus - Second To None."

Mr Hill read a poem he said conveyed what his son would be telling people now.

It contained the words: "Please dry your tears and laugh again, let go of your hurt...Release any pain and accept my time on this earth is complete."

Major Anthony Liddell, officer commanding Rear Party, read a eulogy in which he praised L/Cpl Hill as a man of "infinite courage" who had achieved so much in his short life.

He said: "He could always be relied on to deliver the goods when under pressure. There is no doubt that his timely and accurate fire saved the lives of his comrades on numerous occasions.

"In the acid test of war, he was revealed as a man of infinite courage."

Maj Liddell said L/Cpl Hill had many fine qualities including loyalty, courage, determination and integrity.

Maj Liddell read a series of tributes written by some of his best friends and "brother Guardsmen" who are still in action in Afghanistan.

The Reverend Andrew Cunnington, vicar at St Matthew's, urged mourners to remember the conversations and laughter they shared with him.

He said: "Whenever we hear of something terrible happening, it stops us in our tracks and our hearts go out to people we do not know, in situations we can only imagine.

"Then suddenly, one day we are hit with the enormity of something like that happening to someone who we know, someone we love, someone who has a special place in our hearts.

"Suddenly, it's James and even today we cannot believe it."

Speakers relayed the hour-long service to crowds who stood in the sunshine outside and listened to the tributes before his coffin was carried out and driven to Redstone Cemetery.

Donations were accepted for a memorial fund set up in L/Cpl Hill's name which mourners were told would act as a long lasting tribute to him and other fallen comrades.

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