BRAVE young Rifleman Martin Kinggett was laid to rest today with full military honours, surrounded by his family and friends. The 19-year-old soldier who died a hero – providing covering fire for a wounded colleague – was buried at Eastbrook Cemetery a

BRAVE young Rifleman Martin Kinggett was laid to rest today with full military honours, surrounded by his family and friends.

The 19-year-old soldier who died a hero - providing covering fire for a wounded colleague - was buried at Eastbrook Cemetery after a church service attended by hundreds of mourners.

Families from across the borough, and further afield, flocked to the Catholic Church of the Holy Family, Oxlow Lane, Dagenham, to pay their respects.

The service began at 1.15pm, conducted by Father Stephen Sharkey, Padre 4 Rifles, and Father Peter Smith, a friend of Martin's family.

Martin's girlfriend, Freya Ballantyne, who he met while training for the army in Salisbury, read a letter the fallen hero wrote, to be opened in the event of his death.

Reading his words she said: "People are not all superstars and heroes. But ordinary people going about their lives.

"I never thought that I would be front page news.

"I died a hero, doing what I loved and most of all I want you to remember. Thank you to everyone in my life."

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