Funeral of Birmingham soldier Mark Quinsey
The Birmingham family of a British soldier murdered by dissident republicans in Northern Ireland just hours before he was due to leave for Afghanistan said today that he had been "cheated of the opportunity to serve his country".
The family of Sapper Mark Quinsey paid tribute to the young soldier as they gathered for his funeral in Highters Heath, Birmingham.
In a statement read by his commanding officer on their behalf, the 23-year-old was described as "fun, popular" with a "brilliant sense of humour".
Sapper Quinsey, of 25 Field Squadron, 38 Engineer Regiment, was shot dead along with a comrade outside the Massareene Barracks in Antrim on March 7.
The family statement, read by Lieutenant Colonel Roger Lewis, Commanding Officer of 38 Engineer Regiment, said: "Mark was right at the very heart of our family and we thought he'd be there forever.
"It is so hard for us to understand why this happened to him. Mark loved life. He was fun, popular and had a brilliant sense of humour, attracting a large circle of friends who he was very close to.
"We couldn't have been more proud of Mark joining the Army. He worked incredibly hard throughout his training and never gave up, even when it got tough.
"He was looking forward to going to Afghanistan - he wanted to prove what he was made of. He has been cheated of the opportunity to serve his country, which is what he so desperately wanted to do.
"Since Mark died we've had so many flowers, cards and messages of support. We've had quite a few messages from people in Northern Ireland who didn't know Mark but were horrified by the way he died.
"As a family, we've been very touched by the outpouring of sympathy. We have 23 years of wonderful memories with Mark but we will miss him every day of the rest of our lives."
Hundreds paid their respects to Sapper Quinsey at the funeral service today at Immanuel Church in Highters Heath.
Sapper Quinsey, along with Sapper Patrick Azimkar, also of 25 Field Squadron, 38 Engineer Regiment, were killed as they took delivery of pizzas in front of the main gates of their barracks.
They were wearing desert fatigues ahead of leaving for Afghanistan on operations. Another two soldiers and two pizza delivery men were injured in the attack. The Real IRA has claimed responsibility.
Speaking outside the church, Lt Col Lewis said: "Today is primarily about the Quinsey family saying farewell to Mark.
"It is also a day on which the wider regimental and military family can share with pride some of the zest, energy and fun he brought to the lives of his friends and colleagues.
"The regiment and I are devastated to have lost such a fine and promising soldier in Mark."
The officer extended his sincere and heartfelt condolences to the family and also described the soldier as selfless, willing and humorous.
"The loss of Sapper Mark Quinsey in such tragic circumstances has left a hole in the regiment that will be tough to fill. I know he was really looking forward to deploying to Afghanistan. Mark was impossible not to like. We shall never forget him."
A spontaneous round of applause broke out as the hearse approached the church.
Around 200 people lined both sides of Highters Heath Lane as the coffin was carried into the church by six pall-bearers from 38 Engineer Regiment past a guard-of-honour formed by members of the Royal British Legion and an eight-man firing party from Sapper Quinsey's regiment.
