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

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

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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