THERE were tears and laughter at the funeral of a daring Darlington soldier who died in Afghanistan “trying to make the world a better place”.

The service for Lance Corporal Jonathan McKinlay, of B Company, 1st Battalion The Rifles, was held yesterday – on the tenth anniversary of the start of the US-led campaign, Operation Enduring Freedom, launched in the aftermath of the 9/11 terror attacks.

During that time, 2,748 coalition personnel have lost their lives in Afghanistan, 382 of them British. This compares with 179 UK Armed Forces killed in Iraq between 2003 and 2009 and 255 in the Falklands conflict.

L Cpl McKinlay died on September 14 after he was hit by a burst of small-arms fire while on patrol in Helmand Province.

The 33-year-old, who married wife Lisa only 11 months ago, also leaves daughter Megan and stepchildren Ollie and Piper, his mother, Valerie, and sister Becca.

He joined the Army in 1996 and served as an instructor at the Infantry Training Centre at Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, as well as previous deployments to Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Family and friends gathered at St George’s Church, Bulford Camp, Wiltshire, where the Union flag-draped coffin was carried by six of L Cpl McKinlay’s comrades to the sound of High on a Hill.

During the service, tears mingled with mirth as people laughed at stories from his adventurous life.

The mourners were told “there was never a dull moment”

with L Cpl McKinlay, known as Jon or JJ.

Speaking to more than 200 mourners, Padre Grant Ashton told them L Cpl McKinlay “died trying to make the world a better place”.

He read out a few words from L Cpl McKinlay’s mother, who said: “Jonathan always lived life by the skin of his teeth. He sky-dived, loved it; he rode a motorbike, loved it; and he was an infantry soldier, loved it. Not a safe trio, I’m sure you’ll agree.

“He died doing the job he loved with his kind of people around him.

“As his mum, I will miss him dearly until the end of my days. Life is going to be a lot duller without him.’’ Serjeant Gavin Shorrock, who had been best man at his wedding, read a tribute from Lisa: “From the moment we met you wowed me. We connected right there and then and always said we were two missing pieces come together.

“Wherever you are Jon, forever you have our hearts. Watch over Ollie, Megan and Piper and me. I love you.”

Sjt Shorrock added his own stories of L Cpl McKinlay, bringing laughter from the congregation about nights out, fancy dress and on-tour anecdotes.

He added: “Jon, I cannot believe I’m standing here doing this when it is only 11 months ago I was doing your best man speech. I was proud of you then and I am proud of you now.

“You served your country with honour and you were an asset to the Rifles. Mate, it’s never going to be the same without you. You’ve done your job, stand down.”

Following the Last Post, the coffin was taken from the church to the sound of Pink’s Who Knew.

As it was placed into the back of the hearse, 1 Rifles Honour Guard fired volleys in the church grounds.

Watching the hearse, loaded with flowers that spelled out Dad, his family wiped tears from their cheeks and hugged each other before the cortege made its way to Salisbury for a private cremation.

Paying tribute, Major Alex Price, 1 Rifles, said: “To anyone who met him Lance Corporal McKinlay made an instant impact. He was a man of great character, he was agile of mind and he was not afraid to express a considered opinion when the opportunity arose.

“He took delight in doing things for others to make their life more comfortable and he was a real grafter. He was happy to help out in any scenario no matter how big or small the contribution required.

‘‘1 Rifles have lost a fantastic battalion character and a highly accomplished soldier.”

L Cpl McKinlay deployed to Afghanistan as a battle-casualty replacement in June, having recently qualified as a Bravo Mortar Fire Controller.

He was based in Checkpoint Chaabak, in the Nahr-e Saraj (South) district of Helmand.

The soldier was with members of the Afghan Uniform Police in a village near his checkpoint when they came under attack.