Staff Sgt Chris Muir had been chosen for promotion

Bomb disposal expert Chris Muir, from Romsey, was killed while dismantling munitions in southern Iraq on 31 March.

The prayers for the 32-year-old father-of-one were held at Romsey Abbey.

He was a staff sergeant in the Army School of Ammunition based in Kineton, Warwickshire.

'Fantastic memories'

His wife Gillian said her husband had a fantastic sense of humour and could "light up a room".

"I know that Chris was very proud to wear the badge of an Ammunition Technician, and I take small comfort from the knowledge that he died doing the job that he loved," she said.

"He has left me and our families with the most fantastic of memories, the greatest one being our son, Ben, who can grow up knowing that his father was a good, honest, hardworking soldier, who died trying to do the right thing."

His commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Mike Dolamore said he had been recently selected for promotion and it was a "sad fact that we will not see him wearing the new rank he so richly deserved".

He added: "His skills, drive and determination as an individual and a soldier ensured his quick promotion to staff sergeant and recent selection for promotion to warrant officer.