“HE was the best brother, he was the best son, he was the best friend and he was the best soldier.”

A moving tribute to Corporal Jake Hartley from his little brother, Ethan, 12, who led the tributes to the Afghanistan hero at his funeral at Christ Church, New Mill, yesterday.

Ethan’s words brought applause from the 1,000-strong congregation who packed the church and filled the churchyard to say goodbye to Cpl Hartley, who was one of six soldiers tragically killed in Afghanistan on March 6.

Family, friends, dignitaries and residents lined the streets for the 20-year-old from New Mill, described as a “future sergeant major” by his commanding officer.

The words ‘hero’, ‘bro’, and ‘Jake’ were made from flowers and Cpl Hartley’s coffin was decorated with the Union Flag.

He arrived at the New Mill church in style in a white horse-drawn carriage before six pallbearers carried him with full military honours into the church.

Following close behind was his mother Nathalie, step-father Mark Taylor, Ethan and Cpl Hartley’s closest friend and uncle, Luke Kemp, 20.

There were tears and laughter as friends and family paid tribute to him and shared anecdotes of fun times they’d had with Cpl Hartley.

Ethan recalled: “I remember when he won best recruit [in 2008] I thought that meant he was the best soldier, ever, and he was to me.”

He recalled their last phone conversation when Cpl Hartley called from Afghanistan: “I was trying to make him laugh and he did – that’s how I’ll remember him, just crazy and funny and laughing.”

During the service the song Angels, sang by Kelly Aitcheson, was played. Its poignant words “you are in the arms of the angels, may you find some comfort there” brought tears to the faces of mourners listening from outside the church.

Cpl Hartley’s uncle and friend Luke Kemp also paid tribute to him.

He said: “What can I tell you about Jake that you don’t already know?

“He was a cheeky chappie, he was my nephew but we were as close as brothers.

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“Jake was always there for me when it counted, as I was for him.

“The Army was something he loved and he was damn good at it.”

Mr Kemp shared anecdotes with the congregation, such as when Cpl Hartley used to beg for spare change when he lost at ‘penny push’.

He told them about when the duo got their first scooters aged 16 – their first sign of freedom.

“He enjoyed life – got out of it what he put in, which was his all,” he added.

“He was my nephew, he was my friend and my brother and I quite simply will not be the same without him.

“He will stay in our hearts forever.”

The highest praise for Cpl Hartley’s abilities came from Major Mally Birkett, commanding officer of the 3rd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment, who said: “Cpl Hartley was an infantryman to his core – tough, proud, hard-working and honest.

“He used his own qualities to inspire those he led.

“The Battalion has lost a fine soldier and an outstanding leader.

“We share great pride that we had the privilege of serving alongside these men.

“Their selfless sacrifice has left us even more resolute and focused on our mission in Afghanistan and in continuing the tradition of distinguished service that this Battalion has shown this county and country in its 300-year history.”

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He went on to describe Cpl Hartley as a “sergeant major of the future” and talked during the service about his achievements.

“He was a true all-rounder of the highest quality,” Major Birkett added.

“He was a soldier who only knew how to give 100% ... he was a fine example to us all and he will never be forgotten.”

Major Birkett read a poem entitled the Six Northern Roses, written by an RAF sergeant in tribute to the six fallen heroes.

The service was led by the Rev Canon Sean Robertshaw, Team Rector of the Upper Holme Valley and a Territorial Army chaplain who served in Iraq.

The Rev Robertshaw praised Cpl Hartley’s family for the way they had dealt with the “loss, desolation and grief”.

The Rev Robertshaw described Cpl Hartley and his fallen comrades as “courageous young men” and “braver than the brave”.

“Jake and Nathalie shared a special relationship characterised by laughter,” he said.

“Those who knew him speak of him being the ultimate infantryman soldier, and that’s a rare accolade for one young man.

“He wanted to be the best soldier that he could and he wanted to have fun, enjoy life and enjoy his mum’s cooking.”

A further poem was read by Dominic Taylor, brother of Nathalie, before prayers were said and the congregation left to the Bruno Mars song Talking to the Moon.

A Three Rifle salute and The Last Post took place at a private burial.

Colne Valley MP Jason McCartney attended along with the Mayor of Kirklees, Clr Eric Firth.

Mr McCartney said: “Whatever the rights and wrongs of our involvement in Afghanistan, there is a real sense of admiration and closeness that the people in our country have for the armed forces at the moment.

“Certainly in my lifetime it’s the highest level of appreciation and I think it is something the nation should be proud of, these men are people the nation can be proud of.”

THE funeral of Corporal Jake Hartley, 20, was the second funeral planned for the six soldiers killed on March 6.

The first was for Sgt Nigel Coupe, held last week in Lytham St Annes.

Tomorrow at 12pm the funeral of Private Anton Frampton, 20, of Longwood, takes place at Huddersfield Parish Church with full military honours.

And on Friday at 12.30pm the funeral of Private Daniel Wilford, 21, takes place, also at Huddersfield Parish Church, although at the family’s request it will not be a full military service.

Pte Christopher Kershaw’s service is on May 24 at Holy Trinity Parish Church, Idle, Bradford, and Pte Daniel Wade’s funeral will take place at St Elphin Parish Church in his home town of Warrington in Cheshire on May 11.

A memorial service for all six soldiers takes place at Huddersfield Parish Church on Sunday, May 13.

AFGHAN hero Cpl Jake Hartley was just days away from his 21st birthday when he was killed along with two Huddersfield comrades – Private Anton Frampton, 20, and Private Daniel Wilford, 21.

All died in a bomb blast along with three others – Private Christopher Kershaw, 19, Private Daniel Wade, 20, and Sergeant Nigel Coupe, 33.

Sgt Coupe was serving with the 1st Battalion The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment but the other five young soldiers were all members of the 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment.

The servicemen were on patrol when their Warrior Armoured Fighting Vehicle was caught in an explosion in Helmand, around 40km north of Lashkar Gah.

Cpl Hartley, a former Earlsheaton High School pupil, lived in New Mill with mum Nathalie, step-father Mark Taylor and brother Ethan.

Aged just 17, he won the Best Recruit award in his platoon, for being the best across all aspects of military and physical training.

He became a full corporal at the age of 20, the youngest in his unit in the Yorkshire Regiment.

He was deployed to Afghanistan on February 14, which was his second tour of the country.

He was tragically killed on March 6 – just days before his 21st birthday.