Military Funeral
On Thursday 11 March 2010 at 2pm in St Mark’s the funeral took place of Lance Sgt David Greenhalgh, killed in
active service in Afghanistan, a member of the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards.
Below are photographs taken outside St Mark's in preparation for the funeral. The music of the Band of the Grenadier Guards
from within the Church was relayed outside.
For a poem inspired by the funeral service and a tribute further down the page CLICK
The British Legion line up in preparation
A large crowd gathers
The Guard of Honour marches to their position each side of the main Church door
The coffin bearers wait as the leading vehicle of the funeral cortege draws up to the Church
The coffin bearers move to take up their duties as the British Legion flags are lowered one by one
They ease the coffin from the hearse
. . . and lift it on to their shoulders . . .
. . . and head towards the Church path
They now have the difficult task of climbing the steps
At the top of the steps they must lift the coffin back onto their shoulders . . .
. . . which they achieve with great dignity
. . . before taking Lance Sgt David Greenhalgh past the Guard of Honour into Church
A poem inspired by the funeral service
When you’re stuck in a ditch, with that snatch vehicle bitch
Ablazing at the side of the tracks;
With no chopper on call, cause of cuts in Whitehall,
Just pen a few words to the hacks.
The defence spending sums, means the death of my chums;
When it’s all down to pounds and to pence;
So we pay the cost, and we cope with the loss
How does this accounting make sense?
Now we know the score; if your name’s on the door
Walk through – with your head held high;
For your duty is done and the victory’s won,
So rest, with a satisfied sigh.
A modern reflection on Kipling’s Barrack Room Ballads
following the funeral service of Lance Sergeant David Greenhalgh.
Malcolm Robertson
Lieutenant Colonel Roly Walker said of Lance Sergeant David Greenhalgh:
He was a tough soldier and a natural commander, a decent and honest man,
and a friemd to those he knew. He loved The Queen's Company, he was a proud Grenadier,
and he was a most loyal soldier to his country. He was a young fighting man in his
prime, taken from this world in an instant on a dusty road in southern Afghanistan; he leaves
a lasting impression on us all.