Hundreds of mourners paid their respects at the funeral of Michael Hampshire.
The tragic Afghan bomb attack victim, private security guard and lifelong Golcar resident was described as a ‘courageous’, ‘great humoured’ and full of ‘generosity’ at St John’s Church in Golcar.
A former member of the Army’s Infantry and Royal Military Police, 29-year-old ‘Mic’, as he was known, was granted a guard of honour with standards borne by members of the Royal British Legion for the service.
It was complete with a stirring rendition of the Highland Cathedral recorded by the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards.
Family, including his parents Angela and Martin and his fiancée Claire Taylor, friends and military personnel poured into the church to pay tribute to him following his death on May 17.
He was killed when a Taliban suicide bomber detonated an explosives-packed car near Kabul’s international airport.
Speaking at the church, his mum, Angela, described him as a ‘family man’ with a ‘thirst for life’.
She said: “He wasn’t just our son but our best friend.
“He would do anything to make us laugh, even if it was at the expense of himself... I think he could’ve been a stand up comic.
“He loved guitar and was a natural performer, and had so many friends.
“We’ve all been left with a broken heart.
“He had so many dreams and plans for the future and achieved more in his 29 years than most do in their lives.”
Mic, who attended St John’s JIN School and Colne Valley High School, signed up to the Army at 16 initially to follow his love of cooking but instead led a successful career in the Infantry in the First Battalion of Yorkshire Regiment and later in the Royal Military Police.
His older brother Chris also remembered him.
“He was a big joker and loved playing practical jokes on me.
“He was a remarkable larger than life character who worked hard and played hard and he found true love in Claire.
“He gigged around Huddersfield and was well respected, courageous and risked his life to help others.
“He was as brave as a lion with a heart twice as big as he was; I’m immensely proud of him.”
A friend from the Army, called Chris, added that he was ‘one in a million’.
The Rev Paul Witts, vicar of Linthwaite, who led the emotional service, summed up other memories of the family of Mic.
He said: “He was full of selfless generosity, was a charmer, had a real warmth around him and shared his talents with others.”
Donations were given to Mic’s charity of choice, Help For Heroes.
