Major Sean Birchall attended the Guards Chapel in London five months ago for the baptism of his baby son Charlie. Yesterday, his body returned to the chapel in a coffin.

Family and friends paid tribute to the husband, father, son and brother in a funeral service at the religious home of the Royal Guardsmen at Wellington Barracks.

A lone bagpiper filed into the chapel ahead of the coffin, which was decked in the Union Jack and carried by eight Welsh guardsmen.

Major Birchall’s widow, Joanna, his parents, brothers and other family members followed behind. About 600 fellow mourners filled the pews to pay their respects to the officer, 33, who was remembered for his bravery, humour and talent. Paul Birchall, one of Major Birchall’s two younger brothers, addressed the mourners, his voice thick with emotion. “Sean was supportive, proud, smart, tough, so tough, loyal, funny, handsome, dashing, daring, so brave,” he said. “He was my hero and he was everyone’s hero.”

Mr Birchall gave thanks to all soldiers in Afghanistan and elsewhere. Quoting Winston Churchill, he said: “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.”

Hymns including Jerusalem and Men of Harlech punctuated the 90-minute Roman Catholic service, with music provided by the Band of the Welsh Guards as well as an organist and choir. The high-ceilinged chapel, its walls lined with faded Union Jack flags and inscribed with tributes to other fallen commanders over the centuries, added to the solemn sense of occasion.

Three fellow officers paid tribute to their close friend, recalling funny moments, such as when Major Birchall was made to dress up as Wonder Woman on a night out. “It is too soon for your life to have been taken. I still find it hard to believe,” said Major Peter Dewhurst. “It is going to take time to adjust to life without you, so forgive us now for our sorrow.”

Major Birchall, of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, was killed on June 19 when a roadside bomb hit his vehicle close to Lashkar Gah, the capital of Helmand province, southern Afghanistan. Less than two weeks later, Lieutenant-Colonel Rupert Thorneloe, his commanding officer, was also killed. Colonel Thorneloe is the most senior army officer to die in action since the Falklands war.

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