Funeral For Huddersfield Soldier

30 April 2012, 09:39 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

The funeral of a West Yorkshire soldier, killed in Afghanistan in March, will take place later.

20 year old Corporal Jake Hartley will be laid to rest at Christ Church in New Mill, Holmfirth later.

Hundreds of family and friends are expected to be there.

Cpl Hartley, died along side 20 year old Pte Anthony Frampton, 19 year old Pte Christopher Kershaw, 20 year old Pte Daniel Wade, 21 year old Pte Daniel Wilford, and 33 year old Sgt Nigel Coupe, when a bomb exploded under their vehicle.

Speaking after his stepson's death, Cpl Hartley's stepfather 44 year old Mark Taylor, said the family was “devastated” by their “massive, massive loss”.

Lieutenant Colonel Zac Stenning, commanding officer of 3 Yorks said Cpl Hartley, from Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, who would have turned 21 just days after the bomb attack, had risen swiftly through the ranks and predicted that the “natural leader” would have become a Regimental Sergeant Major.

Cpl Hartley joined 3 Yorks in December 2008.

He has left behind his mother and stepfather, Nathalie and Mark Taylor, brother  12 year old Ethan, and uncle and best friend, Luke, also 20.

The men were based at Battlesbury Barracks in Wiltshire.

Five of the men were serving with 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment.

Corporeal Hartley, Private Frampton and Private Wilford were from Huddersfield in West Yorkshire.

Private Kershaw, was from Bradford, Private Wade was from Warrington and Sergeant Coupe lived in St Annes in Lancashire.