HUNDREDS of mourners gathered today (Monday, September 29) to pay their final respects to a former Royal Marine who was shot and killed in Iraq, where he was working in the security industry.

Father-of-two Philip Harris was killed in Erbil in northern Iraq, following a night out with friends. He was shot when he mistakenly walked into the wrong villa.

Mr Harris, 47, who was decorated after serving in Northern Ireland, Kosovo Afghanistan, left the Royal Marines in 2005.

Family and friends today attended his funeral at St Andrew’s Church, Roker, Sunderland.

His coffin, draped in the Union Jack and carried by members of the Royal Marines, was followed into the church by his ex-wife Sarah and children Bobi-Jo and Leon

Paying tributes, Reverend Canon Sheila Bamber said: “He was always there for you and all his family, kind and generous, brave and strong, a happy character who lived life to the full, and crammed so much into such a short time that there are abundant memories that will have touched and changed the lives of everyone here today”.

Mr Harris joined the Royal Marines in 1993, when he was 16 went on to serve across the world, gaining the General Service Medal in Northern Ireland, and campaign medals for service in Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq.

Rev Bamber said: “Phil was a highly trained marine, skilled in reconnaissance and small team tactics, and he was selected for special service in Hong Kong, Kosovo and Iraq, where later he helped to train the Iraqi Coastal Defence Regiment.

“He also spent some time with the Fleet Protection Group in Faslane, which specialises in protecting the United Kingdom’s nuclear deterrent."

During his time in the Marines he did mountain and Arctic warfare training in Norway, and he learned to ski. He also successfully represented the Marines and the Navy in boxing.

After leaving the Marines, Mr Harris, whose was known affectionately as ‘orrible ‘arris, went into private security, which took him to various parts of the world, working for high profile figures, in oil field security, and most recently in Iraq.

Rev Bamber added: “His open personality and his gift for getting on with everyone made him a popular figure, as well as being a conscientious worker, and there are many people who can speak about the good times they had in the midst of even the trickiest situations.

“Phil cared about others, he would go the extra mile, and he was generous with what he had – not just in buying rounds at the bar, but in helping when others were having tough times.”

A Kurdish man has been arrested and released on bail in his country.

The Northern Echo attended the funeral with the family’s permission.