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Farewell to mine blast victim - 'a fun-loving soldier's soldier'

By: KentOnline reporter multimediadesk@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 14:26, 22 July 2008

L Cpl James Johnson's coffin is carried into the crematorium by fellow soldiers. Picture: Barry Duffield
L Cpl Johnson: described as a dedicated soldier

The funeral of a soldier killed by a mine explosion in Afghanistan took place near his home in Kent on Tuesday.

Hundreds of mourners attended the service at Barham Crematorium, near Canterbury, for 31-year-old L Cpl James Johnson, who died in Helmand Province last month after stepping on a land mine.

A guard of honour was formed as a piper led the funeral cars to the doors of the crematorium and he was cremated with full military honours.

L Cpl Johnson, known as Jimmy, lived with his fiancee Bernadette Broadley, who he met four years ago after the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders battalion moved to Canterbury.

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He was born in Scotland but grew up mostly in Chatham where his parents, Lawrence and Connie still live.


Listen to L Cpl Scott Showell pay tribute to his colleague


Among the moving tributes to him was one from his young daughter, Chloe, and his fiancee. His colleagues described him as a soldier's soldier, dedicated to his job and highly professional.

A picture on the front cover of the order of service showed him carrying an injured child.

His brother, Lawrence, also a soldier, said the Army had made him into the man he was and the family was immensely proud of him. His partner, Bernadette, also talked of his fun-loving, caring character and his love of socialising.

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