Tributes paid as Comber says farewell to Channing

Tributes paid as Comber says farewell to Channing

14 November 2012

COMBER came to a standstill last Thursday for the funeral of Corporal Channing Day, who was killed in Afghanistan last month.

Corporal Day, who was 25 and had served with 3 Medical Regiment, was the third British servicewoman to die in the Afghanistan conflict, which began in 2001.

She was shot in the Nara-e Saraj district of Helmand Province. Killed alongside her was 27 year-old Corporal David O’Connor, of 3 Commando. They were overseeing the training of Afghan police when their patrol came under fire.

Corporal Day, who was born in Swindon, Wiltshire, and grew up in Wiltshire, was buried with full military honours. She joined the Army in 2005 and had completed tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Army Chaplain Albert Jackson told mourners in First Comber Presbyterian Church that the huge turnout was testament to the esteem in which Corporal Day was held.

He said: “Channing’s passion in life from an early age was to be a soldier. That was her goal. She wanted to be one of the best. She wanted to be the best.”

Padre Jackson described combat medics as “angels in disguise” and said Corporal Day had been willing to face the same dangers as her male military colleagues.

“That meant Channing was out on the ground with the lads. She was one of them. She would face all the difficulties and hardships that the guys would encounter.

“But her presence there made the guys feel somewhat assured. She instilled a confidence that no matter what would happen she would be there to help them.

“I salute her courage, that determination and that devotion.

A tribute was also paid by Corporal Day’s sister, Laura. “We should all be very proud of Channing and we will get through this all if we continue to look out for each other, knowing that we have a diamond in the sky looking down on us all — our very own guardian angel.

“You were the best sister I could have asked for. You were very special, but I didn’t know just how amazing you were.”

Among those attending the service were First Minister Peter Robinson, Strangford MP Jim Shannon, UUP leader Mike Nesbitt and Stormont Junior Minister Jonathan Bell.

After the service Corporal Day’s coffin was carried by a horse-drawn hearse to the cemetery. At the front of the cortege were her parents, Rosemary and Leslie, brother Aaron and sisters Laura and Laken.

The cortege paused for a minute’s silence outside the family home close to the town centre. Businesses and local amenities, including the town’s leisure centre closed their doors as a mark of respect. Service veterans stood side by side with serving soldiers and members of the Royal British Legion, who lowered flags as the cortege passed in silence.

Afterwards, Major Kevin Smith, Officer Commanding 3 Medical Corps said Corporal Day’s death was a tragic event.

“Channing was an exemplary professional soldier, universally respected for diligence, her willingness to put herself in harm’s way and professionalism.”