A MEMBER of the British army from Co Down who was killed in Afghanistan was buried in Co Down on Saturday beside his baby daughter who died a year ago.
Several thousand people turned out for the funeral of Lance Corp Stephen McKee, who was buried with full military honours after a funeral service in his home town of Banbridge.
He was killed on March 9th, during what the British army said was an operation to disrupt insurgent activity in the northern Dashte area of Nad ‘Ali district in Helmand. The 27-year-old member of the 1st battalion of the Royal Irish Regiment (RIR) died after his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device.
He was buried in Banbridge’s New Cemetery following a service at the nearby Church of Ireland Holy Trinity Church. He was buried beside his daughter Keeley, who died a year ago just a day after she was born.
Among those who carried his coffin were his younger brother Michael who served with him in the RIR in Afghanistan, and was one of the first soldiers on the scene after the explosion.
Lance Corp McKee comes from a British army family. His cousin and father-in-law also serve in the 1st battalion of the RIR, with another brother serving in the 2nd battalion.
His uncle, Richard McKee, also aged 27, was killed in 1981 when the IRA ambushed a van carrying three members of the Ulster Defence Regiment on the road between Rathfriland and Castlewellan in Co Down.
Lance Corp McKee is survived by his wife Carley, his parents Heather and Bobby, his brothers Michael, Gareth and Robert, and his sisters Kelly and Rebecca.
Among the large body of mourners on Saturday were the First Minister Peter Robinson and the Northern Secretary Owen Paterson.
Archdeacon John Scott said the soldier died trying to do good in a “messy world”. He said he was now reunited with his daughter.