MOURNERS gathered at York Minster to pay tributes to an exemplary soldier and a wonderful brother, who was killed in a car crash.

Captain Alan Crompton, from Shipton-by-Beningbrough, had served in Afghanistan but died when the Audi he was driving hit a tree in Woodbridge, Suffolk.

Hundreds of relatives, friends and comrades came together yesterday to say their final farewell to the 27-year-old.

Hundreds of people packed the Minster for the service, led by the Rev Canon Glyn Webster.

Captain Crompton’s sister, Sarah, broke down as she described him as her “soulmate”, from whom she could not bear to be parted.

She told the service that her brother, who also leaves his parents Fe and John, had started dating the love of his life Rachel – whom he had known for 21 years – only nine months before the accident and that the last few months of his life had been his happiest.

Sarah told mourners about her brother’s “great sense of humour” and lovely smile, and said he loved a joke and dressing-up.

Capt Crompton’s Commanding Officer for 23 Engineer Regiment also paid tribute to his “incredibly popular” comrade, saying: “Every minute in his company was an absolute pleasure.

“He was utterly professional without compromise – his loyalty was unswerving.

“He was the epitome of service. He was in his element in the heat and dust in Afghanistan.

“His compassion and love for the service shone though and he was respected by all.

“He was more than a first-rate officer – he was very, very funny. Small in stature, he was the biggest in personality.”

Five of Capt Crompton’s former classmates stood together to tell the service they had collectively known their friend ‘Cromps’ for 116 years, bringing laughs from the congregation as they relived tales of his childhood, including when he and his friends at St Peter’s School formed a band for a school competition. Capt Crompton, the lead singer, donned a tight white vest and belted out songs such as YMCA.

One said: “Just imagine him now and his smile thinking: ‘I have packed out the Minster’.”

Another said: “He just gave you a lift when you spoke to him. He was an absolute star.”

The service heard Capt Crompton, who loved the theatre and sports and was also a member of York Gymnastics Club and a talented hockey player, decided during his gap year to pursue a military career, having originally been a member of the St Peter’s School Combined Cadet Force. After serving in Afghanistan, he was later stationed at Rock Barracks, near Woodbridge.

He was born into a military family, his father having been a British Army colonel in Germany.

After they settled in Shipton-by-Beningbrough in 1990, he attended Forest of Galtres School and St Peter’s School before studying biological science at Newcastle University.

Fe and John Crompton said: “We are richer for his life, and devastated in his death.”

The service followed a family cremation at Bishopthorpe Crematorium.