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Jun 03 - Funeral And Service Held For Royal Gibraltar Regiment Soldier Private Matthew Boyd

Mourners in Main Street stood to pay respect to Private Matthew Ian Boyd from the Royal Gibraltar Regiment, who died in tragic circumstances in Brecon, Wales, as the funeral procession passed through Main Street earlier today.   

Uniformed servicemen from the essential services lined both sides of Main Street as the funeral procession made its way from Casemates Square to The Cathedral of the Holy Trinity where the service was held. 

Family, friends and loved ones attended the service, as well has top-ranking personnel from the Royal Gibraltar Regiment, the Royal Gibraltar Police, HM Customs, Government Ministers, including Deputy Chief Minister Dr Joseph Garcia, and His Excellency the Governor, Lt Gen Edward Davis and his wife, Lorraine.

At the service, the 20-year-old soldier was described as a “hugely popular soldier who was a constant source of morale and high spirits” by Commanding Officer of the Royal Gibraltar Regiment, Colonel Ivor Lopez.

In his eulogy, CO Lopez spoke about Pte Boyd’s life and said he had joined the regiment when he was 17 years old, and passed out in April 2013 after completing his Combat Infantryman’s Course at the Infantry Training Centre in Catterick.

He said: “Private Boyd immediately fitted into the Regiment and quickly asserted himself as a dedicated and competent soldier who could always be relied upon to work hard and make light of any given situation.

“His keenness and affable character made him shine within his platoon.”

CO Lopez explained how Pte Boyd was deployed to Brecon as part of the training support staff to assist the Queen’s Division Courses Cell, which would have prepared him for the Fire Team Commander’s Course and subsequently qualified to be promoted to Lance Corporal.

CO Lopez concluded his tribute to Pte Boyd by saying: “He loved his job but above all, he loved being in the company of his many close friends who considered him as a brother.

“His untimely and tragic death has left a profound void in the Regiment.”

A private funeral was held for friends and loved ones following the service. 

Pte Boyd was found injured and unconscious in the streets in Brecon in the early hours on Sunday 8th May, and died later in hospital.

A 23-year-old man was charged with his murder and a 22-year-old man was charged with affray but was later changed to actual bodily harm.

They will soon face trial at Cardiff Crown Court.

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