Family, friends and fellow Gulf heroes gathered to pay their respects to the first soldier to be killed in action in Iraq - Sergeant Steven Roberts of Shipley.

Soldiers from the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment gathered at St Wilfred's Church, in Harrogate, for the funeral of colleague Sgt Roberts. The 33-year-old Desert Rats tank commander was shot through the chest during a riot in Al Zubayr, near Basra, three days after the conflict began.

Military chiefs have confirmed that an investigation is under way into whether Sgt Roberts' flak jacket had been fitted with ceramic plates to protect him.

Yesterday, his coffin, draped in the Union flag with Sgt Roberts' beret and belt on top, was carried into the church by members of the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment.

Members of Sgt Roberts' family, his wife Samantha, brother 'Boo' and mother Marion Chapman, followed behind.

Family friend Martin Cox broke down in tears as he recalled a man who had lived life to the full. He told the mourners: "He was honest, decent, the best this country had to offer. He had an infectious charm, a ready smile and a mischievous sense of humour. He laughed quickly and easily. He had that presence which made people gravitate towards him."

He also told the several hundred mourners how Sgt Roberts was proud of his Cornish roots.

"We are here to celebrate the life, a life lived to the full and so richly enjoyed. Simply put, Steve loved life." Earlier, Father Kevin Gleeson, a former padre at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate where Sgt Roberts was an instructor, recalled a dedicated soldier.

As the service drew to a close, five soldiers fired three volleys outside the church. Shortly afterwards, a piper played Flowers of the Forest.

Earlier in the day, mourners had paid tribute to Batley soldier Lance Corporal Shaun Brierley, who died in a road accident in Kuwait during the conflict.

Gurkha piper Thambahadur Armaja Pun, playing Flowers of the Forest, led mourners into Batley Parish Church.

He was followed by 29-year-old Lance Corporal Brierley's mother and father Peter and Christine and his girlfriend Birgit, with whom he has a three-year-old son Patrick.

The coffin, draped in a Union Flag and adorned with a large bouquet of yellow flowers, was carried into the church - where Lance Corporal Brierley was christened and had sung as a choirboy - by six regimental pallbearers from 30 Signal Regiment.

Lance Corporal Brierley had been a radio operator and a member of 212 Signal Squadron, which provides communication for HQ1 (UK) Armoured Division when he was killed in a Land Rover crash on March 30.