THE FUNERAL has taken place of one of three British soldiers killed in Afghanistan last month.
Capt Mark Hale of the Ballykinlar-based 2nd Battalion The Rifles was fatally injured on August 13th in a roadside bomb explosion along with Rifleman Daniel Wild (19) as they helped to rescue Bombardier Matthew Hatton (23), who had been injured in an earlier blast at Sangin in Helmand province.
Originally from Bournemouth, Capt Hale lived in Dromara, Co Down, with his daughters, Tori and Alex, and his wife, Brenda, who is from Bangor.
He was given a military funeral at the Church of Ireland parish church in Hillsborough.
Hillsborough, already decked out with colourful bunting and banners for its annual festival, came to a standstill as the cortege made its way along Main Street to the church.
The union flag-draped coffin was carried into the church by six army pall-bearers, followed by his widow, children, members of the wider family circle, friends and military colleagues.
Assembly members Jeffrey Donaldson, the area’s DUP MP, and Ulster Unionist Basil McCrea also attended the private church service.
The Rev Simon Farmer led five clergy in the service as Capt Hale’s remains were placed before the altar to the sound of a lone piper playing Highland Cathedral.
The packed church heard tributes from his brother Kevin, and from a friend, Andy Moreland.
The address was given by Rev Farmer and the congregation also heard from Maj Alistair Field, Officer Commanding, who delivered remarks on behalf of Capt Hale’s widow.
“He lived life to the full and never wasted a minute; even in his quiet and reflective moments, he was writing poetry or reading philosophy,” Rev Farmer said.
He described Capt Hale, who joined the army as a teenager and worked his way up to the rank of captain, as an exceptional father and exceptional Christian.
“He was a born soldier who gave the army 110 per cent at all times. He loved his job and the men he served with and was really enjoying the extraordinarily difficult challenges that arose daily in Afghanistan.”
Capt Hale was described by his widow as her “best friend and soulmate”.
Following the service, the coffin was carried to the hearse to singing from a Fijian choir. Burial took place privately at Legacurry Church near Ballynahinch.