Soldier's funeral takes place tomorrow at West Buckland

dave.tanner@archant.co.uk
06 August 2009

Guardsman Chris King

The funeral of North Devon soldier Guardsman Chris King will take place at noon tomorrow (Friday) at St Peter's Church, West Buckland.

Chris, aged 20, died instantly when an improvised explosive device went off while he was on patrol in Helmund Province in Afghanistan.

Colleagues from the Coldstream Guards will perform a rifle salute outside the church in tribute.

The village church will be packed for the service, to be conducted by the Vicar, the Rev Preb Peter Bowers.

The narrow road leading to West Buckland from the North Devon Link Road will be made one way upwards from around 11am tomorrow to allow people to attend the funeral. After the service, it will be made one-way downwards for a time.

Parking will be available at West Buckland School from where mini buses will take sympathisers to the church.

After the service, a reception will be held at The Wall climbing centre, South Molton, which is owned by Chris' father, Dave King.

Parking will be available on the Pathfields industrial estate from where there will be a bus service to The Wall.

It is understood that the funeral cortege from the funeral director's premises at Bickington will have a police outrider escort and will pass by some of the soldier's favourite places in Barnstaple. The exact route is not known at the moment.

Chris King went to Landkey Primary School and Park School, Barnstaple, before joining the army last year. He joined Number 3 Company Coldstream Guards and was attached to the Welsh Guards at the time of his death.