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Chorley says goodbye to a hero
Chorley came to a standstill on Tuesday as thousands gathered to pay tribute to hero soldier David Markland.
The 36-year-old from Euxton died as he led a team clearing routes of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in Afghanistan, last month.
Hundreds of fellow soldiers, friends, devastated family members and proud residents lined the streets to pay their own emotional respects to the soldier from 36 Engineer Regiment before a poignant service at St George's CE Church.
The cortege carrying the father-of-two's body was led by police escort through the town centre and speakers were placed outside the historic church for the thousands of people who could not get a seat inside.
Mourners broke into a spontaneous round of applause as the funeral cortege drove up St George's Street.
The funeral ceremony was held two days after what would have been Warrant Officer Markland's 37th birthday and almost nine years to the date that his two-year-old daughter Sophie died of meningitis.
Inside church, close family, including wife Corallee and children Keelen, 10, and Logan, seven, wiped tears from their eyes as the Union Jack-draped coffin was carried by fellow Royal Engineers and members of the Gurka regiment to an austere version Amazing Grace.
During the hour-long service, his commanding officer Lt Col SJ Hulme paid tribute to the fallen soldier's 'intellect and sheer compassion'.
Three years ago this month Chorley said goodbye to another hero - Royal Marine Jonathan 'Dutchy' Holland - who was killed in Afghanistan in 2007.
This time, hundreds of fellow soldiers, many who served with WO2 Markland during his decorated 20-year military career, came from around the country to attend the service led by Vicar Peter Taylor, a family friend who baptised his daughter and married his sister Lorra.
The vicar recited some of the words that have been used to describe the soldier, calling him a 'mentor and a legend who lit up every room he entered.'
Then he added: "Words are not enough. He was all those things and much more.
"The word hero is used too lightly but we can say without doubt, Dave was a hero."
The ceremony was followed by a private committal at Charnock Richard Crematorium and reception at The Pines Hotel, in Clayton-le-Woods.
* Full story in Wednesday's Guardian.
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Weather for Chorley
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -5 C to -0 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Light sleet showers
Temperature: -0 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South west
