A LITTLE girl said farewell to her heroic father today as St Helens united for the military funeral of Irish Guardsman Christopher Davies.

Heartbroken family and friends gathered along with comrades, politicians and dignitaries for the military service at a packed St Mary’s Lowe House Church.

Among them was his six-year-old daughter Lucy, who was wearing a t-shirt carrying the words ‘My daddy is a hero’.

Many more stood outside the church on North Road as a mark of respect to the 22-year-old father-of-one, who was shot dead during an ambush in Helmand province, becoming the 100th UK soldier to be killed in Afghanistan this year.

Observers believe it was among the largest turn outs for a funeral that the town has witnessed in recent years.

They watched as a cortege, which had travelled from Chris’ St Helens home, arrived at the church and six Guardsmen pallbearers carried the coffin, draped in the union flag.

A deeply poignant service followed with tributes flowing from loved ones and comrades, as a picture of the Guardsman rested alongside his military hat on the coffin.

Among the congregation was his younger brother John, also a member of the 1st Battalion the Irish Guards, who had been serving in Afghanistan.

Leading the tributes Chris’ father Gary Davies, described his son as a real “a man’s man” and a “soldier’s soldier” who would strive to be a good family man.

He said: “Christopher paid the ultimate sacrifice to try and help others in a far away country, so they can live in a secure place and ultimately benefit future generations of children and young people.”

Speaking with immense passion and composure, he said Christopher would be “watching over his family from heaven with his invincible personality and smile”, adding: “In going so early to heaven (we hope) it will allow for a safe passage through time for his most precious possessions of all, his beautiful daughter and his wonderful girlfriend Emma, who he adored.”

He said that as a loving son and “perfect dad to our Lucy” he would be remembered as “a true hero”.

The ex-De La Salle pupil’s mother Catherine read out a moving poem that had been sent to her by another mum, who has a son serving in Afghanistan.

And his beloved girlfriend, Emma Johnson, fought back tears as she recalled the night they had met on Bonfire Night in 2006, adding that she wished “I could go back and live over those four years again”.

Emma said she could go on listing happy memories forever and that as she does so the pain “fades away just a bit more”.

His brother, Matt, meanwhile, said Christopher, “lived for the army” and was proud of the work being done in Afghanistan.

He called upon the crowds to honour Chris’s memory by promising “to live to the fullest and smile as much as you can because that is what he wanted”.

The tributes prompted a rich round of applause from a congregation, with warm salutes coming from fellow soldiers who addressed the church.

A private burial followed at St Helens Cemetery.

The poem read by Guardsman Davies’s mother

As I sit here safe in Heaven And watch you every day, I try and let you know with signs I never went away.

I hear you when you're laughing And watch you as you sleep, I even place my arm's round you To calm you as you weep.

I see you wish the days away As you beg to have me home, So I try to send you messages So you know you're not alone.

Don't feel guilty that you have a life That was denied to me, Oh, Heaven is truly beautiful Just you wait and see.

Please live your life and laugh again Enjoy yourself, be free, Then I'll know with every breath you take you're taking one for me.