THE Duchess of Cornwall was among hundreds of people to pay their respects to a Cornish soldier who died in Afghanistan.

Camilla, the Prince of Wales's wife, sent a wreath to yesterday's funeral of Torpoint Rifleman Sam Bassett along with a short note to his family.

Attached to the white-flowered wreath was a note which read simply: "With my deepest sympathy, Camilla."

There was standing room only at Plymouth's St Andrew's Church for the 20-year-old's funeral, staged with full military honours. Family members, serving personnel, veterans and members of the public stood side by side.

In the funeral programme his mother and father both wrote poignant tributes to their son, who died on Remembrance Sunday.

Simon Bassett, Rfn Bassett's Canada-based father, said: "Son, words cannot describe the emptiness that we all feel without you. While we all feel so sad during these times we look to your bravery, courage and strength to see us through.

"The memories we all share of our time with you will stay forever. I am so very proud of the young man that so courageously gave his life to protect others."

Rfn Bassett's mother, Coline, said: "My son, my rock, my best friend, I'll stay here and look after Jack [Sam's brother], but we will all be together again and that's the moment I long for."

The funeral saw the largest gathering of standard bearers at a military funeral in recent times.

They came from all over Plymouth and surrounding areas. Dozens stood proudly and lowered their standards as the funeral cortege arrived. Countless members of the public stood silently.

The Rifleman's coffin, draped with a Union flag and his cap, was carried into the church by his colleagues through a guard of honour.

Once inside it was evident how popular the former Torpoint Community College pupil was.

The Rev Nick McKinnel led the service, which included a photo montage beamed onto a projector screen.

Many shed a tear as it showed images of his life.

Over in Torpoint, naval staff at HMS Raleigh lowered the White Ensign to half mast at 11am as a mark of respect.

Rfn Bassett died on Remembrance Sunday as a result of injuries received in a bomb blast in Northern Helmand in Afghanistan.

He was serving with 1 Platoon, A Company, 4th Battalion The Rifles, as part of the 3 Rifles Battle Group.

He only completed his training in May this year and deployed to Afghanistan in October.

Lt Col Rupert Jones, commanding officer of 4 Rifles, said: "Sam's death has left a large hole in the ranks of his platoon in Afghanistan.

"During his relatively short time in Afghanistan he made a remarkable transformation. He grew in stature.

"He was a real character and always on the edge of things."