RIP Jonathan Horne

Hundreds of people have attended the funeral of a West Midlands soldier killed in Afghanistan.

Corporal Jonathan Horne, 27, was rescuing comrades from an explosion when he was killed in a second blast. Two of his colleagues also died.

He was one of five members of 2nd Battalion, The Rifles, who died in Helmand on 10 July.

His funeral was held in his home town at the church where he got married, St Gabriel's in Walstead Road, Walsall.

'Best friend'

The funeral was followed by a private burial service with a gun salute.

Hundreds of mourners packed into the church, while many more lined the streets nearby.

Cpl Horne's widow, Rachel, told the congregation her "heart has been torn" as she gave an emotional recital of a poem for Cpl Horne, known as "J".

She said: "If I had one wish, it would be to spend the rest of my life with you, my wonderful husband, who is my best friend and soulmate, too.




Cpl Horne's coffin was carried into a church in his home town
"When I think of you I will try to smile - I will try not to be sad - but saying goodbye hurts so much because of all the good times we had."

Finishing to a round of applause, echoing the one which greeted Cpl Horne's coffin in the street outside, Mrs Horne said: "I will miss you more than I could ever express, but my love for you, J, will never grow less."

The father-of-two, who had previously been wounded in Iraq, had delayed his return to the frontline so he could be at the birth of his three-month-old daughter.

Captain John Mabb, of 2nd Battalion, The Rifles, said Cpl Horne was "a soldier's soldier", adding: "He was fit. He was tough.

"He had a wicked sense of humour and he was a true Brummie at heart - a popular guy who's much loved and his loss will be sorely felt."

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[misskmb01]

miss you jj will always remember you from your proud niece kaci x

[thesludge]

@misskmb01 you must be very proud and i hop you dont mind that i uploaded this. My partner went to school with him. x

[misskmb01]

The truck on the end with the sign and flags on the car was my car miss u uncle jj x <3 cant believe you have been gone 3 years this year x 3 years too long ! xx :'( I know god looks after u up in heaven though ! x

[operator4211]

proud to say that i served alone side you till the end. miss you my brother in arms!!!

[misskmb01]

thats fine aww thats so cool.

[MrGimp19]

2 years 2 day

[MyTrailerking]

R.I.P

[macarickard]

Miss you JJ you done our country proud. I'm deffinatly proud to call myself English with people like you protecting us from the taliban... I just wish seen you for longer then what i did. :'(

[allgoonersaregay]

R.I.P Jonathan from North London!

[chopperhurrell]

Miss ya m8!