A GRATEFUL nation today joined a Blackburn family to say farewell to a Royal Marine killed during the war with Iraq.

Captain Philip Stuart Guy, 29, who was married to Blackburn-born wife Helen, died along with seven other commandos when their American Sea Knight helicopter crashed in Kuwait on March 21.

Today his family got their wish when he was given a full military funeral at the church in Skipton where the couple married in September 2000.

And his friends and colleagues from the Marines led the tributes to a man remembered by his wife as a "true hero."

People lined the streets leading up to Holy Trinity Parish Church and also congregated outside.

The high street was closed to traffic and although Friday is normally a busy market day in the town, traders closed their stalls out of respect. The public also held a minutes' silence.

More than 400 people attended the hour-long service, some in military uniform, and the church was decked out in flowers.

Royal Marines fired three volleys over the grave at the interment.

Helen, 30, who grew up in Blackburn and attended St James' Primary and St. Wilfred's schools, gave birth to the couple's second child Emily Catherine just 10 days after her husband's death.

She arrived at the church behind her husband's coffin, dressed in a black suit and white top and supported by her parents Bryn and Jeanette, from Lammack, Blackburn.

The coffin itself was carried by six Marines and draped in a Union Jack.

Capt Guy's peaked army hat, two medals, his sword and white roses were placed on top.

Around 20 mourners, including Capt Guy's family, from the Yorkshire Dales, followed.

Before the service, Commanding Officer for Fleet Protection Royal Marines, Colonel Bill Dunham said the last time he spoke to Philip was to shout at him for misuse of boats. He said: "I am feeling bad about that today." But he praised Captain Guy, from 3 Commando Brigade, Plymouth, and said: "Tragically he lost his life returning from a mission while on duty in Iraq. We in the corps all miss him as a brother Marine.

"But we will not miss him as much as his family and our thoughts go out today to Helen, Henry and Emily and their future life without Philip. Their loss is greater than ours. As a member of the Armed Services this is one of the occupational hazards that happens from time to time but Philip will be missed by all that knew him and we in the military are all very downcast today."

The service began with an opening sentence from Canon Adrian Botwright, followed by a welcome and opening prayer by the curate of Holy Trinity Reverend Doctor Jonathan Pritchard.

The eulogy was read by Captain Daniel Hughes, an ex-Royal Marine, who trained with Captain Guy. He said: "I will always remember Phil with a smile. We laughed so much of the time we were together, even in the toughest of times. In fact, he had a thoroughly dark sense of humour that was increased when the tide of things was against him.

"Phil was a bloke who believed in working hard and playing hard. He was a devoted soldier who had pride in whatever he did and was highly regarded by those around him.

"Phil's legacy is all around: in his wife and children, in his family and friends, the people he worked with.

"He touched a great many lives and all those he touched will remember him with fondness. Phil was the best kind of friend a person could ask for: dependable, generous, funny and as a husband and a dad, he was hugely loving and compassionate.

"I will miss him as I know we all will but I am confident that his memory will be kept strong and that will keep him close to us.

"They say you cannot control the length of life, only the breadth, width and depth of it. Phil managed to push all of these things to the limit and still had time for all of us on the way."

The first hymn of the service was "The King of Love My Shepherd Is," which was followed by a reading from Psalm 46.

The eulogy was followed by the hymn "Oh Jesus I have Promised" and then a sermon by Rev Pritchard. He said: "How are we to make sense of what has happened? How are we to make sense of our shock and grief and loss in Phil's death?

"Phil was a good man. He was someone to be proud of: a man who served his country well, and gave his life in it's service. He was also someone to love and be loved by.

"Think of Phil's character, his integrity, his superb fitness, his love. All these are things that reflect the gift and love of God."

The sermon was followed by prayers led by the Canon, a commendation and the hymn "Eternal Father Strong to Save."

This was followed by a blessing and a private committal.