United in sadness at popular Wirral Soldier's funeral

Aug 12 2009 by Vicki Kellaway, Bromborough and Bebington News

Phillip Lawrence's funeral in Landican Cemetery in Arrowe Park Road _460

AN EMOTIONAL was held for a popular Wirral soldier killed in Afghanistan.

Friends and family of Trooper Phillip Lawrence gathered to share their sadness after the tank driver died in an explosion in Afghanistan.

The 22-year-old’s funeral was held yesterday at the tiny chapel at Landican Cemetery in Arrowe Park Road, Birkenhead, before he was laid to rest nearby.

Hundreds of people attended, many wearing light dragoons uniform and others wearing red T-shirts with Manchester United – the team he supported – on the front and ‘Rest in peace Phil’ on the back.

Trooper Lawrence was the eldest of five brothers and despite having a family of his own was still the “man of the house” to his mum, Gaynor.

She raised the family alone in Upton and said she was devastated at having to bury her ‘best friend’ and the son she relied upon whenever she needed help.

Tragically Trooper Lawrence died before he could give his blessing to his mum’s engagement – killed shortly after her new partner Paul Taylor said he planned to propose.

Mrs Lawrence’s dad died shortly after his grandson was deployed so the couple decided to wait for her eldest son’s blessing before they formally became engaged.

Mrs Lawrence, 42, said: “After my dad died I asked Phil what would happen if I did get married and he said he would be the one to walk me down the aisle.”

Trooper Lawrence was married to Amy, and had a nine-month-old daughter, Jessica.

The family lived in Norwich where Trooper Lawrence was based with the Light Dragoons.

But he stayed close to his mum and his brothers Christopher, 20, Liam, 19, Ryan, 13 and Louis, 11.

They described him as a down-to-earth football fan who loved playing practical jokes.

Mrs Lawrence said: “Phil was so full of fun. He always joking and children always seemed to love him. We said he was like the Pied Piper the way they followed him around. I emailed him to tell him Paul was going to ask for my hand when he got back from Afghanistan and I’m just so glad I did. I only hope he read it and was made up.”