In an emotional sermon, the Rev Andrew Martlew, chaplain of 40th Regiment, said the devoted dad’s memory would live on through his baby daughter, Amelia, who was born in April.

The 24-year-old’s close friends, Aaron Thirling, 23, and Nicky England, 25, read from the St Crispin’s Day speech of William Shakespeare’s Henry V:

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;

For he today that sheds his blood with me

Shall be my brother;

Mr Martlew told the congregation Craig was the “hard man with the soft inside”.

He said: “When he talked about Amelia he let it slip, every time he quoted band of brothers.

“You have seen the depths, the real man, the love and compassion behind Craig the legend. The hard man with the soft inside.

“You have great memories, you have great treasure and I know you will look after them, share them and keep them alive – not least for Amelia.

“As she grows up she will know she has a great dad to live up to.”

The chaplain spoke of Craig’s colourful character and said: “I have heard him say things you can’t possibly say in church, very rude things, with that smile that made it impossible to take offence.

“I’m not sure what he would have made of this, although I have an inkling that he would think it no less than he deserved – and he would be right.”

The soldier was killed just ten days after returning to Afghanistan, after spending time on rest and relaxation with his close-knit   family.

Last week Craig’s family told the Express that Amelia would hear all about her brave father.

Speaking after the funeral, his sister, Adele Varley, 26, said: “We would all like to thank all the people who came out of their homes and workplaces to pay their respects to Craig, from the moment we left the house until we arrived at the church.

“Under the circumstances it was a fantastic day and a send off that Craig would have loved and been proud of.

“We can’t thank everyone enough who made the day what it was.”