Vast crowds gathered on the street outside Bury Parish Church, in Bury, near Manchester, yesterday afternoon for the military funeral of Drummer Lee Rigby.
The events were shown live on TV, but cameras were not allowed inside the church. Instead those gathered outside the church and those seeing the crowds outside the church on TV had to listen to the prceedings on loudspeakers set up just outside the church.
Also gathered outside the entrance to the church were soldiers past and present, resplendent in their uniforms, to show their respects to a fallen comrade.
Drummer Rigby's two-year-old son Jack was there to say goodbye as the father he adored made his final journey.
Wearing a T-shirt bearing the words ‘My Daddy, My Hero’, the toddler joined hundreds of mourners at Bury Parish Church in Greater Manchester.
Fusilier Lee Rigby's two-year-old son Jack wears a 'My daddy My Hero' t-shirt as he attends his father's service
Although the sun was shining, the mood was sombre as thousands lined the streets outside to pay their respects to the 25-year-old drummer, who was hacked to death in broad daylight outside Woolwich Barracks in south east London in May.
Fusilier Rigby’s widow, Becky, 30, from whom he was estranged, bent down and whispered tenderly to her son as the coffin, draped in the Union flag, was carried away.
His mother, Lyn, 46, her face etched with grief, also broke down and had to be supported by friends and relatives as she looked on.
Also among the mourners was the soldier’s fiancee, Red Cap Aimee West, 22. She came dressed in her military uniform and wore the engagement ring Fusilier Rigby had given her after separating from his wife.
David Cameron, who this week said the whole country would be mourning with Fusilier Rigby’s family, attended the funeral with London Mayor Boris Johnson.
The 45-minute service began with a two-minute silence in honour of the soldier, who served in the 2nd Battalion Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.
Family friend Sean Sheer spoke of Fusilier Rigby’s devotion to his family, saying he took to fatherhood ‘instantly’.
‘He was so proud to be a father,’ Mr Sheer said. ‘Everywhere Lee went Jack would always be with him, he would be showing him off at every opportunity.’
And the soldier’s commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Jim Taylor, paid tribute to a ‘fantastic soldier’ who, despite having no musical background, became one of the best drummers in his battalion.
He told the congregation ‘Riggers’ – as he was known to his comrades – was ‘truly charismatic,’ had a ‘wicked sense of humour’ and was a popular member of his regiment.
Ending his eulogy, the commanding officer said Fusilier Rigby, who survived a gruelling tour in Afghanistan, would be remembered with pride by all who knew him.
‘We have a saying in our regiment that “once a Fusilier, always a Fusilier”,’ he said.
‘Today we, his regimental family, salute a fallen comrade. A talented soldier and musician. A larger-than-life character. A loyal friend and brother-in-arms. A gentle soul. Above all a true Fusilier – daring in all things.
‘So, thanks be to God for Lee Rigby. Father, husband, son, brother, friend, Fusilier. We will remember him.’
In Bury yesterday more than 5,000 people – both civilians and soldiers wearing their uniforms, campaign medals and caps – turned out to line the streets.
Although some veterans were local, many hailed from across Britain, with some travelling from as far afield as Germany and Cyprus.
Paying their respects, they applauded Fusilier Rigby’s family and the coffin, which was guarded overnight by his comrades, as it travelled through the town.
One former fusilier, Jim Gray, 75, made the journey from his home in Congleton, Cheshire, to lend his support.
He said: ‘Lee Rigby was a young man doing his duty. For him to have met his death on the streets of London is unbelievable. I will take this day with me forever.’
The family broke down as they watched the coffin be carried away after the service. Lee's son, Jack, wore a t-shirt honouring his father
The coffin was taken away from the church as the Fusilier's wife Rebecca tenderly spoke to their toddler son Jack, who had adored his 25-year-old father
The family of Fusilier Lee Rigby follow his coffin as it leaves Bury Parish Church after his military funeral. Mourners clutched teddy bears and wore red ribbons remembering the soldier
Fusilier Rigby, 25, a drummer in the 2nd Battalion Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, was killed as he returned to Woolwich barracks from the Tower of London on May 22
Crowds stood outside in the sunshine, singing along with the hymns and saying the Lord's Prayer before the 50-minute service came to a close and the pall bearers carried out the coffin
The family of Fusilier Lee Rigby; wife Rebecca (centre) with son Jack, mother Lyn (right) and step father (right) follow his coffin as it leaves Bury Parish church
Difficult day: Red Cap Aimee West, the girlfriend of Drummer Rigby
Lee Rigby's cortege drove past a guard of honour, as soldiers past and present held flags to pay tribute to the soldier, who was hacked to death in Woolwich, London
Mourners salute the cortege: Rigby conducted ceremonial duties outside Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and the Tower of London
Flags were raised and fell as a cortege carrying elaborate floral tributes were driven through the streets of Bury
Crowds of people line the streets as the funeral cortege of Fusilier Lee Rigby drives away from Bury Parish church
Army Cadets pick up flowers thrown by the members of the public who lined the route to watch the cortege drive past
Fusilier Rigby's coffin, draped in the Union flag and with his bearskin on top, was borne out of the church by six pall bearers in their ceremonial scarlet tunics and placed in the hearse for his final journey
The funeral cortege of Fusilier Lee Rigby drives away from Bury Parish church, as more than 1,000 people were believed to have come to mark the service for the soldier
Prime Minister David Cameron and Mayor of London Boris Johnson were among the 800 mourners who attended the touching service
Countless floral tributes were left outside the church in colours of red, white and blue. Crowds gathered to join the mourning outside of the Bury service
Members of The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers march through the high street for the funeral service of Fusilier Lee Rigby at Bury Parish Church
Serving soldiers, forces veterans and ordinary members are lining the streets outside Bury Parish Church
Members of the public outside Bury Parish Church in Bury, Greater Manchester gathered to pay tribute to the heroic soldier, who had a 'gentle soul'. The statue is that of Bury man Sir Robert Peel, who founded London's Metropolitan Police - the world's first police force - in 1829
Crowds gathered for the funeral. Lee Rigby's commanding officer, Lt Col Taylor, said the public's support 'meant the world' to him and his soldiers after the death of their comrade
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'Lee's killers backfired... he's become a hero and a martyr'
Distraught: Murdered Lee Rigby's widow Rebecca said his family have been comforted by the huge amount of public support they have been shown
An outpouring of support and goodwill from around the world has comforted murdered fusilier Lee Rigby’s family since his death.
Ahead of a private funeral in Bury, Greater Manchester, yesterday, his widow, mother and stepfather spoke movingly about how they hoped the ceremony would confound his killers’ intentions by celebrating him as a ‘hero’ and ‘martyr’.
Fusilier Rigby, 25, a drummer in the 2nd Battalion Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, was killed as he returned to Woolwich barracks from the Tower of London on May 22.
The father of one had served in Afghanistan and was attached to the regimental recruiting team when he was hacked to death in broad daylight on a street in south London.
The horrific killing led to nationwide shock and revulsion.
They said the letters of support - including from mosques - showed the unity amongst all communities against the senseless act of murder.
Fighting back tears throughout, his 30-year-old wife Rebecca said: ‘We have had an awful lot of support from across the world. It has been overwhelming.
‘We have had masses of cards, letters and donations from everywhere. It’s unbelievable, really, the things that have been coming in.
‘We have had letters from the Prime Minister, from senior politicians from all parties, the Duke of Kent, from the Sikh community.
‘Various large mosques and interfaith groups have been in touch with letters of condolences and such.’
His mother Lyn, 46, added: ‘We have received overwhelming support from the public, friends, family.
‘We have had thousands of cards, with kind words. That basically has given us the strength to get through this time.’
His stepfather Ian, 54, said the support showed how the motives behind his murder could be defeated.
‘Whatever the intention was, it’s backfired because it’s made Lee into the hero and the martyr,’ he said.
‘And the support and the unity through the country... we have been having phone calls or letters off mosques, off Jewish sections, every religion you can think of and not just in this country.
‘The country is united, whatever elements may wish to stop it. It’s not working because it’s working the other way.’
Overwhelming: Rebecca Rigby said Lee's family have received support from across the political spectrum and groups of all faiths
Good wishes: A selection of some of the heartfelt cards sent to Lee Rigby's family
Affection: A beautiful letter and drawing sent from nine-year-old Nicole Hanson
Comforts: Rebecca told of how she was given a £10 cheque by a stranger to buy something 'to put a smile on Jack's face'
Read more: 'Lee Rigby's killers backfired... he's become a hero and a martyr' says family of soldier killed in Woolwich | Mail Online
