Hundreds of mourners have attended the funeral of Northern Ireland veteran Dennis Hutchings who was facing trial over a fatal shooting in 1974.
The 80-year-old, from Cawsand in Cornwall, was in Belfast to appear in court over the shooting which claimed the life of John Pat Cunningham, 27, at the height of the Troubles in Co Tyrone.
But the great-grandad died after contracting Covid-19 while he was in the city.
Despite the controversy around his legal proceedings, The Ministry of Defence eventually agreed to provide pallbearers after the family lodged a formal request for members of his former regiment, the Life Guards, to attend.
Mourners at the funeral service, which took place in Plymouth on Thursday afternoon, included politicians, bikers and ex-servicemen and women.
Dozens of motorbikes from Rolling Thunder UK accompanying the coffin as part of the cortege while hundreds of people in military clothing lined a road and applauded and saluted as the coffin went by.
Mr Hutchings coffin was carried into St Andrew's church in the Devon city by military pallbearers to the sounds of The Life Guards Slow March.
Bikers revved and sounded their horns as they arrived close to the church as police blocked off the road.
Military flags were held aloft as the coffin went by and wreaths were laid outside the church.
The coffin was draped in a Union Flag, floral tributes and a military hat.
A sea of people wearing berets, medals and poppies had waited outside for hours.
The funeral service was opened by Reverend Joe Dent and speakers included former veterans minister and Plymouth MP Johnny Mercer.
He said: "We gather today to remember a great man. I want to pay him a fulsome tribute.
"I want to pay tribute to his family. I want to pay remembrance and pay tribute to his service to this nation. And I want to pay tribute to what he represented in his life and in his passing.
"First today let me address Dennis' family with whom we are all deeply privileged to meet together today. to mourn a loving partner, devoted father, a doting grandfather and indeed great grandfather.
Addressing the family he said: "I know the last few years at times have felt lonely, I do not intend to speak today about why that was.
"But let me ask you to look around you today.
"Look at what Dennis meant.
"Look at the efforts of those gathered here from across this country to remember a great man."How much his service was respected and feel the love of a grateful nation, not only for Dennis but for you as well.
"Service families are too often overlooked but you served too, and I want to acknowledge that today."
Addressing the recent trial in Belfast, Mercer added: "He was a fair man. He was compassionate. He was the very opposite of how those who wish to rewrite history would portray him."
He continued: "I must tell you, that I am not proud of how we currently remember those who served in that appalling conflict, trying to prevent a bloody civil war.
"This nation loves you, this nation is deeply proud of you, your service in Northern Ireland commands the profound respect of this nation. For your service cannot be erased. History cannot be rewritten.
"For the things that matter, the things that stand test of time,your courage, your humanity, all personified in the man we get together to remember today.
"So rest in peace Dennis Hutchings, you earned it."
Mr Hutchings, had served 26 years in the Life Guards with distinction, but he was charged with attempted murder after the killing was re-examined by police.
Mr Cummings reportedly had the mental age of a child between six and ten, and a fear of men in uniform.
He was said to have been running away from an Army patrol when he was shot in the back close to Benburb, a village on the border between Armagh and Tyrone.
Mr Hutchings was prosecuted in connection with the shooting following an investigation into the death in 2013.
It is alleged that he and another soldier both fired their guns but it is not known who fired the fatal bullet.
"This nation loves you, this nation is deeply proud of you, your service in Northern Ireland commands the profound respect of this nation. For your service cannot be erased. History cannot be rewritten.
Rolling Thunder UK said on its website it is "very proud" to have been asked to organise the escort for the funeral cortege.
Mr Hutchings had pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder and his solicitor Philip Barden said he had wanted to clear his name.
The case had become the focus of attention in recent years as a number of other prosecutions were announced against veterans over deaths which took place during Northern Ireland's Troubles.
