'I will always remember Phil with a smile'

"The difficulty, of course, is not what I should tell you, but what I should leave out.

"Some of you will know Phil as a friend, others as a member of the family.

"I got to know him during selection and training for the Royal Marines. I have heard many tributes recently to his great determination and drive. It was inspiring. I was inspired by it at about the 20-mile point of the 30-mile yomp across Dartmoor, and, I can tell you, I needed inspiring.

"I will always remember Phil with a smile. We laughed so much, even in the toughest of times.

"He was at his best in a group, when he would lie in wait for anyone to slip up, or say something stupid, before pouncing on what they had said with a dryly delivered comment that would leave everyone in stitches.

"Phil was a devoted soldier, who took pride in whatever he did, and was highly regarded by those around him.

"His love for Helen was obvious to see, and they were always inviting bunches of people to whatever holiday cottage they were staying at.

"When Henry arrived, times became a little calmer. I remember Phil calling me the day his son was born. He was exhausted, although, to be fair, he let on that Helen had done some of the work, but the delight and pride in his voice were unmistakable.

"I know he would be just as proud and delighted with his daughter, too.

"Phil was a natural dad, with his usual commonsense approach to it that he had with all things.

"His legacy is all around; in his wife and children and his family and friends; the people who he worked with.

"He touched a great many lives, and all those he touched will remember him with fondness. Phil was the best kind of friend a person could ask for: dependable, generous, funny and as a husband and a dad, he was hugely loving and compassionate.

"I will miss him, as I know we all will, but I am confident that his memory will be kept strong and that will keep him close to us."

12/04/2003