A severely wounded soldier left his hospital bed to attend the funeral of a comrade who died beside him.

Fusilier Thomas James was taken in a wheelchair to join troops from the 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers in paying respect to Fus Shaun Bush on Wednesday.

Fus Bush, 24, known as “Bushy” to his friends, was trying to rescue his comrade Sergeant Simon Valentine, 29, in Sangin, Helmand province, when they were hit by an explosion on August 15.

Sergeant Valentine was fatally wounded and Fus Bush died from his injuries ten days later at the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine, Selly Oak, where Fus James is still being treated.

Fus Bush was the seventh soldier from Hounslow Barracks to be killed in Afghanistan.

Fus James defied his injuries to join his friend’s father Carl, girlfriend Amy Taggart, brother Lewis and sister Hannah, along with hundreds of mourners at Coventry Cathedral.

His father Carl said after his death: "Shaun was an extremely brave soldier who died while doing the job that he loved, He wanted to serve with the army from a very young age. Shaun was a tremendous athlete who excelled at both football and boxing.

"He was a kind and generous man who was very family orientated and he would not hesitate to help others in need. He was extremely proud of his sister Hannah and brother Lewis. He will be sorely missed by both his friends and family."

Ms Taggart said: "I don't know what I will do without my soul mate, the man of my dreams, my perfect match. I am devastated to have lost him, but so proud to have known him; to have shared part of my life with him and to say that he was mine. My beautiful brave hero."