Hundreds line streets for Afghanistan crash pilot funeral
Hundreds of mourners lined the streets at the funeral of an Army pilot who died when his helicopter crashed in Afghanistan.
Capt Thomas Clarke, 30, from near Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan, was killed alongside four others in April, including L/Cpl Oliver Thomas from Brecon.
His funeral was held at the town's Holy Cross Church.
Brigadier Neil Sexton said Capt Clarke's death was a great loss.
The Deputy Commander Army Air Corps said: "We're gathered here to say farewell to a highly respected and talented Army aviation officer, and it's testament to that respect and his wide popularity that so many of his friends and colleagues are turning up from across the joint helicopter command right across the UK.
"And of course we're here to support the family, his friends, and Angie his wife in particular and his parents from this town, and his parents-in-law."
Capt Clarke, from the village of Flemingston, served with Brigadier Sexton on a tour in Afghanistan in 2012-2013.
"Popular, entertaining, very good sportsman, rugby player and widely respected as a talented pilot and a good officer," said Brigadier Sexton.
"And, sadly, it's a great loss that we've lost him."
Following the Humanist church service at 13:00 BST, a private ceremony was held at Coychurch crematorium, Bridgend.
Businesses in Cowbridge closed for 15 minutes from 12:45 BST in memory of the soldier.
Capt Clarke was one of the Army Air Corps pilots of a Lynx helicopter which came down in Kandahar province, 30km from the border with Pakistan.
The other victims were Warrant Officer Class 2 Spencer Faulkner, Cpl James Walters from the Army Air Corps and RAF intelligence officer Flt Lt Rakesh Chauhan.
An investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing.
The Ministry of Defence has said the accident happened during a routine flight.
Capt Clarke, was described by his army superiors as an "exceptional aviator and forthright leader" who always placed himself at the centre of squadron life.