Tributes have been paid to a British soldier killed in Afghanistan who "lived by the skin of his teeth" and "died trying to make the world a better place".
Lance Corporal Jonathan McKinlay, of B Company, 1st Battalion The Rifles, was killed in Afghanistan on September 14 by a burst of small-arms fire while on patrol with his team.
Family and friends gathered for the emotional service held at St George Church, Bulford Camp, Wiltshire, on the 10th anniversary of the conflict in Afghanistan.
The union flag-draped coffin adorned with flowers was carried into the small church by six of L/Cpl McKinlay's comrades to the sound of High on a Hill.
His wife Lisa and his mother Valerie slowly followed the coffin inside supported by close family.
During the service tears mingled with mirth as people laughed at stories from L/Cpl McKinlay's life.
The mourners were told "there was never a dull moment" when L/Cpl McKinlay, known as Jon or JJ, was around.
Speaking to more than 200 mourners packed into the church Padre Grant Ashton told them L/Cpl McKinlay had "died trying to make the world a better place".
He read out a a few words from L/Cpl McKinlay's mother, Valerie, who said: "Jonathan always lived life by the skin of his teeth. He sky-dived, loved it; he rode a motorbike, loved it; and he was an infantry soldier, loved it. Not a safe trio, I'm sure you'll agree.
"He died doing the job he loved with his kind of people around him. As his mum, I will miss him dearly until the end of my days. Life is going to be a lot duller without him."
