MOURNERS filled a church for a service of thanksgiving for the life of Cpl Ivano (Sean) Violino, killed on service in Afghanastan last month.

A further 150 mourners, many fellow Servicemen in uniform, stood outside the parish church of St Giles, Shipbourne, near Tonbridge, on Friday and had the service conveyed to them on loud speakers.

Cpl Violino’s coffin, preceded by the banner of 36 Engineer Regiment, was brought into the church draped in the Union flag and surmounted with his regimental cap on the shoulders of his colleagues.

Katey, his wife for barely three months, walked behind the coffin, supported by her father.

Cpl Violino’s children, Ellie and Lewis, from a previous relationship, followed along with other relatives.

The congregation heard tributes to Cpl Violino’s good humour, enthusiasm and professionalism as a soldier, including one from Lt Col Neville Badley, acting Commanding Officer of the Maidstone-based 36 Engineer Regiment .

His father-in-law Paul Bearsby spoke of Cpl Violino’s rare gift “to enjoy everything he did".

He stressed: “I’m sure he died a happy man. The world is a poorer place without Sean.”

The Rev Peter Flynn gave the address and described how he had wept when told the news of Cpl Violino’s death, having performed his marriage service in the same church only a few weeks before.

Afterwards, the coffin was laid to rest in the churchyard while a bugler played the Last Post and four Sappers from 36 Engineers fired three shots in final salute.

Cpl Violino lived with his wife in West Malling.