“IT’S hard to imagine what I’m going to do without you. I know wherever you are if I need you, you’ll be there for me.”

Poignant words from the best friend of Rifleman Jonny Allott, 19, whose Service of Thanksgiving was held at St Peter’s Church in Bournemouth yesterday.

Jake Summers joined those paying tribute to the former Kings High School pupil in a packed congregation.

Fighting back the tears, he added: “I’m going to miss you so much. See you again some day. Love you mate.”

Rifleman Allott’s father Michael recalled how he would come home from work and his then young son would greet him with “the biggest of smiles”.

Serving in the army had turned his son from a boy into a man, he said.

Rifleman Allott died from injuries caused by an Improvised Explosive Device near Sangin in Helmand Province on March 5.

Earlier a crowd had gathered in the streets outside the church defying the bitter cold wind and rain.

As the funeral car approached people lining the pavements broke into spontaneous applause which continued as the coffin was taken into the church followed by weeping family and friends.

The coffin was draped with the Union flag and on top a wreath of red poppies and his cap. It was borne by his comrades, some of whom looked close to tears.

The way was lined by standard bearers from regimental associations including the Royal British Legion branches of Wimborne, Wareham and Poole.

Those who attended the service also included around 50 soldiers and officers from The Rifles, the successor regiment to the Devon and Dorsets, which Rifleman Allott served with, leader of Bournemouth Council Stephen MacLoughlin, deputy Council leader John Beesley, councillors David Shaw and Ted Taylor and Bournemouth Council chief executive Pam Donnellan.

The service conducted by Rector Ian Terry, included hymns ‘The Lord’s My Shepherd’ and ‘Jerusalem’.

Bournemouth mayor Cllr Beryl Baxter read John 14.1-6,27 and the service ended with the playing of the Last Post.

People left the church to Michael Jackson’s ‘Smile’.

His former headteacher Alyn Fendley described the service as “incredibly moving”.

Lt Col Andrew Edwards, Rifles Col for Dorset, said in a tribute outside church that only the very best were selected for the role that Rifleman Allott performed.

He added: “As a nation we are asking a great deal of our young soldiers but sadly too often these brave young men are paying a price for their commitment.

“As a regiment we are extremely proud of our riflemen and it is deeply saddening that Rifleman Jonathon Allott lost his life whilst helping to provide security in Helmand.”

Cllr Ted Taylor who was in The Royal Berkshire Regiment (later amalgamated into The Rifles) during his national service from 1956 to 1958 knew Rifleman Allott when he was a member of East Howe Youth Club.

He said: “There are a lot of young people here from his school and the area recognising what he did giving his life for his country – the highest thing you could possibly do.”