The funeral of Walsall soldier Corporal Jonathan Horne will take place on Wednesday.

A 21 gun salute will honour Cpl Horne, known as Jay or JJ, who died in Afghanistan on July 10.

The service will be at St Gabriel’s Church, in Walstead Road, Walsall, where the 27-year-old was christened and married sweetheart Rachel, 25, in 2007.

It will be followed by a private burial for close friends and family only.

Cpl Horne, who grew up in Delves, died in an explosion as he tried to save casualties of an earlier blast while on duty in Helmand Province.

He also leaves behind daughters Frankie, nine, and three month old Jessica.

Cpl Horne’s stepfather Colin Whitehouse, aged 48, said: “Everybody is welcome to come along outside the church at noon to pay their respects to Jay. There will be full military honours and a 21 gun salute.”

He added: “It will be a big celebration of his life.”

Cpl Horne, a former Joseph Leckie pupil, was one of five members of 2nd Battalion The Rifles killed during a foot patrol.

His wife Rachel said Jay was a “wonderful husband who was a devoted father, husband and a loving son”. A Facebook group set up in honour of Cpl Horne has more than 5,500 members.