Hundreds gathered to pay their last respects to the 21-year-old who was the first Leeds born and bred soldier to die in Afghanistan.
Standing proud but united in grief, 100 soldiers joined the heartbroken family of Wayne Bland in a moving military funeral.
Draped with the Union Flag, the Signaller's coffin was carried by members of his regiment to the sound of bagpipers playing Amazing Grace.
The street outside Leeds Parish Church fell silent as passers-by, shoppers and workers stopped to watch the emotional tribute to our fallen hero.


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The Reverend Canon Tony Bundock, Rector of Leeds, led the service and read out a tribute from Wayne's younger brother Jordan.
It read: "To my big bro Wayne. He was the best brother anyone could ever have. He always looked after us and we looked after him. I hope he still watches over us, wherever he is.
"I am so proud of him and all that he has done and I hope I can be like him some day. I love him loads. His little bro Jordan."
The Mayor of Leeds also attended the service along with members of the 21-year-old's regiment and his commanding officer Lt Col Justin Hodges.
Lt Col Hodges told the YEP: "Wayne Bland was a vibrant young man who enjoyed life to the full and in the six months he was on the streets of Kabul he had actually matured into an exceptionally good soldier.
Character
"I think from a professional side, day-in, day-out for six months, he faced the threat of Taliban attack on the streets of Kabul and I think that said a lot about his character. He was a great comedian, looked after his mates and they looked to him for advice."
And reading out a tribute at the service, Lt Col Hodges told the 200-strong congregation: "As soldiers we know the risks. We know Wayne is not the first to die and sadly we know he won't be the last. But we also know it is so important we honour and remember Wayne and each and every one of their memories.
"The Army does not want saints. The Army needs men of character like Wayne who, in six months of an intense operational tour, proved himself to be a superb soldier and a man with a bright future. Remember him."
Members of the Royal British Legion saluted the Signaller's coffin as it was driven out to Lawnswood Crematorium.
Chairman of the Leeds branch David Marshall said: "Wayne is the only Leeds-born and bred soldier killed in Afghanistan, who was still living in Leeds. We wanted to pay our last respects."
The 21-year-old, known as Blandy, was brought up in Gipton and was due to return home within weeks of being killed.
The military driver, from the 16 Signal Regiment, died on August 11 when his truck was targeted by the Taliban in the Helmand Province.
Send-off
Childhood friend Nathaniel Brown, 21, said: "He would have loved this. He was a real guy. You took him as you found him.
"When we were little he lived on our estate in Gipton. We have known him since we were kids when we used to play out together. Today was perfect, it was a good send-off for him."
The soldier leaves mum Moe Bland, 44, little brother Jordan Adams, 11, sisters Carla, 24, Leanne, 23, and Gail, 18.
Kirkgate was sealed off by police as the funeral took place before mourners moved onto Lawnswood Crematorium where Gloria Gaynor's I Will Survive and Now You're Gone by Base Hunter were due to be played at a private service.