Soldier's funeral: 'Jack, you lived your dream'

Private John 'Jack' Howard. Photo / Supplied

The body of New Zealander Private Jack Howard was carried into St Paul's Cathedral in Wellington today by his British Army comrades and farewelled after the funeral by a three-volley salute from New Zealand soldiers he served with during his army training.

Pte Howard was killed in Afghanistan on December 5 while serving with the British Army. An investigation is looking into whether his death was caused by United States friendly fire.

Family, military and the public packed out St Paul's for this afternoon's funeral on a wet and wild Wellington afternoon.

Members of the 3rd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, carried in his flag-draped coffin, which was also adorned with a Maori cloak and a poppy wreath, as a traditional Maori cry of lament rung out.

Speakers told of a determined young man, with a wicked sense of humour and intense loyalty for friends and family.

Family friend Phil Blundell read a letter he had penned to Jack, in honour of the pages-long descriptive emails he had received from him.

"Thanks for taking the time to stay in touch," Mr Blundell said remembering a young man who always wrote and visited home.

"Jack, you lived your dream. You were military through and through... you packed a lot in."

Pte Howard's father, Roger Howard, remembered a boy who so loved adventure, mainly climbing trees, that he managed to go through kindy without learning to count to 10 or write his name.

He learned to cook so he could whip something up if he didn't like what mum Anne was going to make.

His friends knew not to get near sisters Charlotte and Isabella as his attitude to them was "bordering on the Victorian".

He became a cadet while at Wellington College where his favourite subjects were history and drama and he seriously thought of becoming an actor.

But he changed his mind and decided on a military future. An initial rejection to join the army devastated him but later he told his dad he realised he had been an "immature arsehole".

A quick stint at university studying psychology, philosophy and religion made up his mind and he bought a one way ticket to London, determined to join the army.

He enlisted in the British army in March 2007 and was on his second tour of duty in Afghanistan when he died. Other postings included the United States, Kenya, Norway and France.

The reality of life in the army was detailed in emails home and he talked about the day one of his team was killed and how physically and mentally drained he felt.

"Reality hit when we got back home."

Mr Howard said his son had talked about the extremism and intolerance of the Taleban and said that type of oppression was something New Zealand would always stand against.

He also talked about his son's anger when an elderly man and boy walked into his sights during action, but his acceptance that the reality was they had become inured to such activity as they tried to live their lives.

Mr Howard said if his son was to ever offer advice to other young men it would be to dream, to pursue those dreams, be sincere in friendship, and `love your mum'.

His sisters read poems and RAF Group Captain Graham Bond talked of "a potential high flyer" who rose to challenges and achieved ambitions.

He said the young man was funny, easygoing and always reassured others.

After the service a firing party from Bravo Company 7th Wellington and Hawke's Bay Battalion, some of whose members had served with Pte Howard during 2006-07 before he went overseas, shot volleys in a farewell salute.

The service was to be followed by a private cremation.

- NZPA