EMOTIVE tributes were paid to a young soldier at a full military funeral held at Crediton Parish Church last week. Lance Corporal Jamie Stewart Fleming, who was from Spinning Path Gardens, Crediton, died after his motorbike was involved in a collision with a lorry in Pembrokeshire on the A487 Felindre Farchog to Cardigan road on Good Friday. The 21-year-old was based with the Royal Corps of Signals at Brawdy, Pembrokeshire. Service personnel, local friends and family gathered at Crediton Parish Church to pay their respects to the young soldier. The cortege travelled through Crediton High Street on its way to the church. A guard of honour stood in the churchyard with weapons down and heads bowed as fellow soldiers carried Jamie's coffin, which was adorned with the Union flag with his beret placed on top, into the church, where it was standing room only for many. Jamie was the son of Alison and Stewart, brother of Rory was "much loved by all his family and friends" and described as a "dear grandson, nephew, cousin, friend and brother-in-arms". His family said: "Jamie was much loved by all his family and friends. He was very popular and enjoyed life to the full. "Jamie was extremely fit, both for his work and during leisure time. He had recently run a marathon in Ireland. "Jamie loved his job in the Royal Signals." Born in Milton Keynes, the family moved to Crediton when he was aged one and Jamie attended both Hayward's School and Queen Elizabeth's in Crediton. He then went to Exeter College with the Army's Further Education Bursary scheme. He was the first young person in the South West to achieve this (as reported in the Courier at the time) doing a sports-based course. He received £1,000 after completion of his course and then another £1,000 after completion of his Army basic training at Pirbright Training Centre. Jamie was the youngest recruit of that in-take, going off at 17 years, three weeks and five days (which was the exact age his dad was when he joined the Army). He was the third generation soldier to join the Royal Signals, after his paternal grandfather and father. Whilst at Pirbright he won the Drill Medal for best at drill in his platoon. He then went to Blandford Camp, Dorset to train as a Communications Systems Operator. Following this he went to Chicksands, Bedfordshire for further specialist training as an Electronic Warfare Operator. He was promoted to Lance Corporal on completion of his trade training when he was still only 18-and-a-half. He was posted to 237 Signal Squadron, 14 Signal Regiment (EW) in Brawdy, West Wales as a Light Electronic Warfare Team (LEWT) Commander. At 14 Signal Regt Jamie enjoyed various trips abroad on adventure and military training. He particularly enjoyed skiing and kayaking. The year 2012 saw Jamie and his squadron preparing for a seven-month deployment in Helmand Province in Afghanistan. He was attached to 4 Mechanised Brigade. Jamie stood shoulder-to-shoulder with his infantry colleagues in the Forward Operating Bases. He returned from Afghanistan in March 2013. July 2013 saw Jamie attached to 30 Commando Royal Marines. He was part of the Operation Cougar 13 Task Force involving military exercises with various nations in the Mediterranean and the Red Sea. He made a big impression on the Royal Marine Corps. January 2014 saw Jamie on exercise in France working with French airborne colleagues. He was due to attend a pre-selection briefing course for Special Forces Communicator. Colonel Purrs, who spoke during the service, told the congregation that L/Cpl Fleming applied himself from the moment he started, passed his training with nothing but praise from instructors, adding: "His energy was unquestionable, throwing himself head first into regimental life." A friend, who also paid tribute during the service concluded his tribute saying: "I'm so proud to have known you, rest in peace dude." Those who attended the service were invited to sign a book of remembrance after the service or at a wake held afterwards at Crediton Rugby Club. The funeral director was by Le-Roy Funeral Service and the service was conducted by the Rev Preb Nigel Guthrie. Dyfed Powys police are continuing to investigate the accident and have appealed for any witnesses to come forward. Jamie touched everyone he met and will be sorely missed by all.