Funeral service held for Tadley victim of Tunisia shootings

David Thompson, 80, was the eldest of the 30 British people killed in Sousse last month

TADLEY was united in grief today as the funeral was held for a former resident killed in the terrorist attack in Tunisia last month.

David Thompson, 80, was the eldest of the thirty British victims who lost their lives in the mass shootings in Sousse on June 26.

Hymns including ‘Abide With Me’ were sang as his life was celebrated at a packed service at St Paul’s Church in The Green – just yards away from the home that he once shared with his partner of 17 years, Anne Kear.

Reverend Richard Harlow asked mourners to "celebrate David, his life, his work, his character and his kindness" and opened the service by saying that Mr Thompson’s death had “thrown a long shadow over this community”.

After Mr Thompson's coffin was carried into the church to the sound of Andre Rieu’s ‘Conquest of Paradise’, his niece, Gill, and close friend, Rod, paid tribute, before Rev. Harlow addressed the church.

During his address, Rev.Harlow said: “We’ve gathered here today to say goodbye to David.

"The events of his death have thrown a long shadow over this community, but they deserve more publicity, because that merely serves the purposes of those who took David’s life, alongside 37 other holidaymakers in Tunisia, three weeks ago.

“There are no words that can soften either the manner or suddenness of David’s death. We are all left speechless by such evil."

For the full story pick up a copy of this week's Newbury Weekly News, out on Thursday.