The funeral of a Birmingham soldier killed during a routine patrol in Afghanistan will take place today (Tuesday).
Trooper James Munday, of Coleshill, was killed by a blast on October 15 in Helmand Province while driving one of the military's new armoured Jackal vehicles.
The 21-year-old, known as "Magpie", was patrolling with his troop approximately 14 miles north of Forward Operating Base Delhi when he died, shortly before the end of his tour of duty.
He was serving with D Squadron of The Household Cavalry - the same regiment as Princes William and Harry.
Trooper Munday's funeral was due to take place at St Peter and Paul's Church on Church Hill, in Coleshill. His mother Caroline Munday, sister Laura-Jayne Blackmore, grandfather Colin Mann and his brothers Robert and Steven Blackmore were expected to pay tribute to him during the service.
It was due to be conducted by Rev Nick Parker of Coleshill Parish Church and Padre Dowell Conning of the Household Cavalry Regiment.
Last Tuesday, Defence Secretary John Hutton joined comrades of Trooper Munday at a sunset vigil in honour of the fallen soldier in Afghanistan.
In Mr Hutton's first visit to the country since taking up the post, he and hundreds of Trooper Munday's colleagues stood before a memorial to Helmand's fallen heroes at Camp Bastion to pay their final respects.
