The funeral for Major Titchener took place in Ayrshire

The salute was in tribute to Major Matthew Titchener, from Southport, who died with two of his colleagues when their civilian vehicle was ambushed near Basra in August.

The 32-year-old, who had a two-year-old son Matheson, died without knowing that the baby his wife Raqual is expecting is the girl he had hoped for.

The service took place at the Church of Our Lady of The Assumption and St Meddans, in Troon, Ayrshire, with the committal at Ayr Crematorium.

Members of Major Titchener's regiment - the 150 Provost company - carried the coffin to the church and formed a firing party.

Scores of well-wishers lined the street outside the church to show their sympathy for the family while 250 military and civilian mourners attended the church service.

Matt, honey, we love you loads and will miss you forever Major Titchener's wife Raqual

The hearse was flanked by military police outriders as it made its way to the church.

Speaking about her husband at the service, Mrs Titchener said: "He was my soulmate, my best friend and I loved him and still love him now.

"Make sure that if you love somebody you tell them what they mean to you.

"Because I will tell Matheson every day for the rest of my life what he means to me. That's the one thing those people cannot take away from me today."

Red roses

She said before her husband left for the Gulf he made her promise to every day tell his son how much he loved him.

She then quoted the W H Auden poem Funeral Blues, which featured in the film Four Weddings and a Funeral.

She finished her tribute by saying simply: "Matt, honey, we love you loads and will miss you forever."

A wreath reading "My Matt" in red roses lay on one side of the coffin while on the other the word "Daddy" was written in white flowers.

A bugler and piper played during the cortege's journey to the crematorium.