'My daddy is a hero': Girl, 6, attends funeral of her father - the 100th soldier to die in Afghanistan this year

By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 11:34 PM on 10th December 2010

The last time Lucy Davies waved her father goodbye, it was to wish him well during his tour of duty.
Yesterday, the six-year-old waved a final, heartbreaking farewell at his funeral.
Guardsman Christopher Davies, of the 1st Battalion Irish Guards, became the 100th member of Britain’s armed forces to die in Afghanistan this year after being shot during an ambush in Helmand province on November 17.

Farewell: Lucy, daughter of dead soldier Christopher Davies, waves goodbye to her father at his funeral today

Killed in duty: A guard of honour is formed as the coffin is carried in to St Mary's Lowe House Church in St Helens

The 22-year-old was described as a ‘legend, a perfect dad and a soldier’s soldier’ who wanted to make a difference, in emotional tributes from his mother Catherine, and his brothers Matt and John, the latter of whom had served alongside him.
Hundreds of mourners lined the streets in his hometown of St Helens, Merseyside, to pay their respects.

Serviceman: Guardsman Christopher Davies, from the 1st Battalion Irish Guards, became the 100th British serviceman to die in Afghanistan this year

After the service Lucy, who wore a T-shirt which read ‘My Daddy Is A Hero’ in support of the Help for Heroes soldiers’ charity, emerged in her grandfather’s arms, clutching a teddy bear in a soldier’s uniform.
A card attached to flowers spelling out ‘Daddy’ read: ‘Missing you lots, love always. Lucy.’
Fighting back tears, Guardsman Davies’s girlfriend Emma said: ‘I love you Chris. To live in the hearts of others is not to die. I will love you for ever.’
Retired serviceman staged a guard of honour as the coffin and a mounted escort of Merseyside Police officers in ceremonial dress uniform escorted the dead serviceman into St Mary's Lowe House Church as a Military Lament was played by a bagpiper.
His brother Matt said Chris was a 'genuinely decent' person who loved the Army and loved serving in Afghanistan.
His father Gary said there could be no greater pain as his family tried to take comfort from knowing that he was in 'heaven with the angels, God and other fallen heroes.'
His body was repatriated to RAF Lyneham, Wiltshire, last month where a private ceremony was held for his family before the cortege travelled through Wootton Bassett on route to John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.

Missing you: A handwritten note from Lucy, the six-year-old daughter of Guardsman Davies

Mouring: Guardsman Christopher Davies' parents Catherine and Gary, stand with his daughter Lucy

Following his death, the 22-year-old's family said in a statement: 'He was a loving son to Catherine and Gary; stepson to Nick; brother to Bernie, Matt and John; stepbrother to Mark, Emma and Jack; loving boyfriend to Emma; and father to Lucy.
'We are very proud of Christopher and all that he achieved. One of the last things that he told us was that he wanted to specialise within the Army - he was very focused on his job and enjoyed the work, his comrades and the lifestyle.
'Christopher was a cracking lad. His friends in the Army have told us that whenever they felt down he would cheer them up, often by singing. We will always love Christopher.
'He had an invincible personality and we will miss him so much. There is a big hole in our lives.'

Rest in Peace: Lucy, 6, is held by her grandfather Gary at her father's funeral

Final departure: Guardsman Christopher Davies' daughter watches as his coffin leaves the church

Places:: Oxford,; Afghanistan
Organisations:: John Radcliffe Hospital

Friday, December 10, 2010

British soldier dies...another victim AMERICA stabbed in the back

'My daddy is a hero': Girl, 6, attends funeral of her father - the 100th soldier to die in Afghanistan this year

Explore more: