Family, friends and colleagues gathered yesterday to say a final farewell to a “kind, fun and loyal” Royal Navy lieutenant who was part of the search to find missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370.

26-year-old Joseph Wright, from Conyer, is believed to have collapsed while out jogging in Scotland, where he was based.

His fellow sailors were part of the service at St Mary's Church in Teynham yesterday, where a full military burial took place.

A number of his colleagues then gathered at the Elephant pub in the Mall in Faversham, where James Pearson, a former Royal Navy engineer, is the landlord.

Joseph had a promising career ahead of him, having been recommended to return to Submarine School and undertake the navy’s most prestigious navigational course.

A former Borden Grammar School pupil, he was a keen sailor, rugby player and cyclist, and leaves behind his parents John and Janice and girlfriend Lottie.

Friend and colleague Lt Hamish Maxwell said: “Here was a man who would not only delight in cheering up his friends, but also take the lonely guy in class under his wing.

“He would make tough times easier and good times unforgettable.

“To the Navy, Joe was highly professional and immensely sociable; a winning combination in a sailor.

“To his mates, Joe was kind, fun and loyal; a winning combination in a friend.

“Joe loved the navy. In return, the service has lost a very bright star, an irreplaceable officer, a one of a kind, larger than life friend.”

Known as Joe to friends and family, he loved his dogs, off-road driving in his beloved Land Rover, shooting, as well as meeting new people and debating current affairs.

He passed away on January 8.

Joseph joined the University of Stirling after school to study politics, philosophy and economics, before 18 months later realising it was not the career for him.

Looking for adventure, he joined the navy, entering Britannia Royal Navy College in early 2010 as a submarine warfare officer.

His training began aboard the HMS Ark Royal and with hard work and determination, he joined the Royal Navy Submarine School.

As a correspondence officer for the HMS Tireless, over 18 months he participated in operations in the Mediterranean, the Gulf of Oman and as far afield as Australia, where he supported international efforts to locate the Malaysian Airlines flight MH370.

On his return to the UK, he once again joined the Submarine School to prepare for his most anticipated job – becoming the navigating officer on a nuclear submarine.

He latterly joined HMS Victorious’ Starboard Crew as the navigating officer in late 2015, ready to conduct his first nuclear deterrent patrol.