Major Sam Pinkney MBE, of 40th Regiment Royal Artillery, revealed that services were held at three locations across the war-torn country to coincide with the courageous soldier’s funeral in his home town.

Speaking before the service, at All Saints’ Church on Friday, he said: “Everybody grieves in their own way and it is very, very sad, but the nature of the armed forces is we also understand we have a job to do.

“Although people are sad and there are services taking place at three locations in Afghanistan at the same time as Craig’s funeral commences here – and indeed in Northern Ireland for members of our rear operations’ team – they remain focused on the job in hand.”

Major Pinkney paid tribute to Bombardier Hopson, who he said had been working with the infantry on the front line.

He said: “Bombardier Craig Hopson was part of the fabric of the regiment. A larger than life character.

“Although I didn’t know Craig very well, you could hear him before you saw him, such was his character.

“He will be sorely missed by the regiment. He was, like everyone else in Afghanistan, doing an extremely dangerous job and realising the dangers. He was a true professional, going about his business, as does everyone else there.”

Major Pinkney said the day was another “sad experience” for Castleford residents, who said goodbye to Rifleman James Backhouse during a military funeral in Airedale last month.

He added: “As you can see, people do support what we are doing in Afghanistan and that’s why they are here today – to support us.

“The community here is extremely close-knit and they come out in great numbers when we sadly have to say farewell to a fallen comrade.”