BBC NEWS REPORT- Funeral of First British War Victim of 2010,Pte Robert Hayes ,1 Royal Anglian

The funeral has taken place of Private Robert Hayes, the first soldier to die in Afghanistan in 2010.

His funeral, with full military honours, was held at St Mary's Church, Burwell, on Friday 29 January.

The 19-year-old was killed as a result of an improvised explosive device blast while on patrol in Helmand Province on 3 January 2010.

Captain Ian Robinson, 1st Battalion the Royal Anglian Regiment praised Private Hayes for his "courage and compassion".

The small Cambridgeshire village came to a standstill as Private Hayes' colleagues carried the coffin along a short route to the church.


Private Robert Hayes, of 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment
Speaking before the service, Captain Ian Robinson, told BBC Look East: "He displayed the moral courage of being the guy at the front of his section, leading them into areas where he knew - and they knew - IEDs awaited them, and that takes a very real degree of courage.

"He was also a compassionate guy and certainly made an impact on the locals that he met while he was out there."

Hundreds of people lined the route of the funeral procession to pay their respects to Private Hayes, who grew up in the village.

The service, conducted by the Reverend Canon Stephen Earl, was relayed by loudspeaker to mourners.

Poems were read by both Private Hayes' mother, Diane Baldwin, and girlfriend, Jemma Redfarn.

The private burial which followed, included a three-volley salute carried out by 12 soldiers, the Last Post and the Reveille.


Speaking before the service, Private Hayes' friend, James Pryor, said: "He always had a smile on his face. A great lad.

"I saw him just before I went back to uni; I remember saying 'bye to him, chatting to him for a good 10 minutes. Just a smashing lad."

The Secretary of State for Defence, Bob Ainsworth, spoke to BBC Radio Cambridgeshire earlier in the week, and paid a moving tribute to Private Hayes.

He said: "We will never forget the sacrifice. This is not just for Afghans. This is not just about allowing women to go to school and dealing with problems in a far-off land.

"This is about our own safety and our own security back here in the United Kingdom and we owe him, and every single one of our forces - whether they have been hurt, killed or otherwise - an enormous debt of gratitude."

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[MrJayb1987]

Rip robert hayes. Another fellow soldier laid to rest. God bless.

P.s how the fuk can people even write disgusting shit like this on a heartbreaking video like this ! Words can't describe what they are. Sick fuks !

[No1Richman]

Wow I cannot believe the disgusting ignorance of the people below me, a man died, show some fucking respect and thank god people like him are willing to lay down their lives so you can sleep sound in your bed at night. R.I.P Private Robert Hayes, may death bring you peace and tranquillity, your bravery and honour will never be forgotten, thank-you and god bless you.

[xziskyx]

@fear946 Wow your ignorance astounds me. Go and read a book and educate yourself or even better, blow yourself up so we don't have to read your shitty comments. Thanks, you great big tosser.

P.S. You have made yourself look incredibly stupid and most of the people on the internet hate you. Post whatever you want on your blog or some equally boring page that no one will read. - not a video of a grieving community.

[seriousRaver]

@zarrahkhan Id love to have you in a box while i rape your family.

[seriousRaver]

@fear946 people like you make me want to join the army so Id have the pleasure of ending your life. So enjoy it while you can cuz Im coming for you.

[PATRICKEIRE]

what a waste,,another young man dies for the greed of the so called upperclass,,when will they learn that there so called empire is long dead..i mean they didnt win in ireland,,what makes them think that they will win in the middle east?

Sort out ur own nation and stop causeing wars in other peoples lands,,and sending young men to do ur dirty work,,,

[gharryc]

fear946 your a dirty little piece of shit who has no right on this earth i would love to meet you some day fucking kick your head in i would be doing the UK a favour.

[bcroninuk]

fear946... silly cunt.. silly sillllly silllllly cunt... so the IRA didnt murder no one???

[fear946]

FUCK THE BRITISH ARMY PACK OF MURDERERS,,,,,,I.R.A FOREVER.

[Zac8881]

how would like it if that was someone that u know that came home in a box zarrahkhan you should have some more fucken respect

you fucken count