Over a thousand people from a shattered community which has lost four soldiers to the war in Afghanistan in just six months turned out to attend the touching funeral of their latest loss.

Rifleman Luke Farmer was tragically killed saving the lives of his colleagues as he swept a path when he was hit by an explosion in Sangin in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, on January 15.

More than 850 people crammed into Wakefield Cathedral, joined by another 300 proudly watching on from the rain-soaked streets outside, to mourn the loss of the popular 19-year-old soldier from Pontefract, West Yorks.

Four soldiers from within an eight-mile radius in the Wakefield metropolitan area have sadly lost their lives in Afghanistan recently, Rifleman James Backhouse on July 10 last year, Bombardier Craig Hopson on July 25 and L/Cpl David Kirkness on December 15.

Heartbroken residents from the devastated community, joined by Standard Bearers from the British Royal Legion, took to the streets from 9am to pay their respects to the brave teenage war hero.