Child of dead soldier fights back tears
TOO small to reach the top of the hearse carrying her fallen father’s coffin, little Eva Pun had to be hoisted up to place her floral tribute.
The eight-year-old had to be comforted by a relative as she fought back tears yesterday while paying her last respects to Corporal Arjun Purja Pun, 33, on the sombre streets of Wootton Bassett.
She was among hundreds of people who attended the Wiltshire town’s all-too familiar reception for the war dead of Afghanistan.
Cpl Pun’s body was repatriated with that of heroes Major James “Josh” Bowman, 34, and Lieutenant Neal Turkington, 26.
All were members of the Royal Gurkha Rifles, killed last week by rogue Afghan colleague Talib Hussein, 23.
They were flown back with the body of Royal Marine Matthew Harrison, 23.