The funeral of Warrant Officer Colin Wall, who was assassinated in Iraq a fortnight ago will be held next week. Liz Lamb speaks to his parents about their loss.

Flowers, sympathy cards and letters of remembrance adorn the living room of Joan and Barry Wall.

So many have been sent to the couple's detached home in Crook, County Durham, that there is hardly enough room to display them.

The Walls have been overwhelmed by the impact the loss of their only child, Colin, has been felt by neighbours, old school friends and Army colleagues at Catterick Garrison, in North Yorkshire.

Engulfed by grief, it is these cards and letters that have helped them through the dark days after his death and that will bring comfort in the difficult months ahead.

Colin, a County Durham lad with a passion for walking among the Weardale hills, had always wanted to be a soldier.

Born in the small village of Crawleyside, Colin, 34, grew up with only one career in mind.

His mother, Joan, recalled how as a young child he would play for hours on the floor with his toy soldiers.

When he was 15, the Walls left Crawleyside and moved to Crook where Colin enrolled at Wolsingham Comprehensive school.

A popular pupil, he would keep his classmates entertained with his sense of humour and zest for life.

"He lived life to the full," said his father, Barry. "He really enjoyed himself in everything he did.

"He was just a big, soft lad."

A year later, Colin's ambition was realised when he joined the Army as a boy soldier and was sent to Bovington Army base. He was the only boy in a class of six girls.

"We received cards from the class - most of them have said what a torment he was," laughed Joan.

At 17, Colin, of Middleton One Row, near Darlington, moved to Chichester to complete his Royal Military Police training.

Throughout his career he was regarded as a dedicated and dutiful officer, respected by everyone he worked with.

He spent time in Germany, Kosovo and Ireland.

"When we went to receive his body at Brize Norton, everyone spoke very highly of him, but to us he was just our son," said Joan.

"It was very emotional and very final for us - it really brought it home," recalled Barry. "We want to thank everyone for their support."

No matter where he was in the world, Colin's heart was always at home with the Weardale hills and the family he adored.

A daft person, who always made them laugh, Colin lived for his wife, Trish, ten month-old-son Alex and his children Robert, ten, and Lauren, 12, from his previous marriage to Isabella.

When his mother was battling cancer, Colin arrived to pick her up from hospital in Gateshead in a black limousine and escorted her home to Crook. It was a typical gesture from a caring son.

Colin had battled illness himself, he had had radiotherapy for testicular cancer. They were testing times but they never dampened his spirit.

In the end, Warrant Officer Wall will be remembered for his devotion to his family and his steadfast loyalty to the country he served.

"He was 100 per cent a soldier, said Joan. "To Barry and I, he was our past and our future."

Sentiments written in one of the many sympathy cards they received echo the thoughts of those that have loved and lost him.

It reads: "Colin made people laugh and will carry on doing so in our memories."

* The funeral of WO Wall will be held at St Thomas's Church, Stanhope, County Durham next Thursday, at 1pm.