A recording of a Scots soldier reading a story to his baby daughter was played at his funeral on Tuesday.

Corporal James Kirkpatrick set down the tale, detailing the adventures of a caterpillar who munched his way through a pile of food, before he set off for a tour of duty to Afghanistan.

The track, complete with sound effects, was meant to ensure 16-month-old Holly didn’t forget his voice while he was away. However, on Tuesday the poignant recording was played to all of his family and friends, ending with the words: “"That's it. I won't be here for a long time but I love you very much."

Cpl Kirkpatrick was killed in action during a firefight with insurgent forces in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand on June 27.

The 32-year-old was attached to the Joint Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group, part of the Counter-Improvised Explosive Device Task Force.

Known to his friends as "KP", Cpl Kirkpatrick was born in Edinburgh but lived in Llanelli, South Wales and was a member of 101 Engineer Regiment.

Uniformed pall-bearers carried his coffin, draped with a union flag, into All Saints Parish Church, Llanelli, for his funeral service on Tuesday afternoon.

A guard of honour presented arms as the coffin was slowly carried to the sound of bagpipes marking his Scottish heritage.

Up to 50 well-wishers stood in torrential rain outside the church, paying their last respects to the fallen soldier. Meanwhile, Cpl Kirkpatrick’s wife Heidi led tributes during an emotional service inside for up to 300 mourners.

She said: "Instead of saying goodbye to Jamie I would like to say thank you."

She went on to pay tribute to him as a father and husband and sobbed as she said: "I will love you forever."

Claire Bell, Cpl Kirkpatrick's sister, paid an emotional tribute of her own, adding: “Jamie, I can't believe that we have lost you. I am so proud of you. I will grieve for you forever. I will miss you every day and I will always be glad that you were my brother."

Anecdotes and stories were recounted by friends and colleagues of the corporal, reflecting his childhood influences and musical tastes. Among the tracks played was the theme tune of The Muppet Show while a traditional Welsh language song was sung by Llanelli Male Voice Choir.

Following the ceremony, friends of the corporal said that a family deciding to play his private recording for his daughter in public was extremely rare.

An army spokesman said: "Soldiers are given the option of making a recording for the purposes of comfort for their family while they are away.

"It would usually be in the form of a poem or a message. A bedtime story like this is very private and may well be the first time it has ever been done.

"This was his last recording to his family and I think they wanted to share it at the funeral with everyone present."

A new tribute to Cpl Kirkpatrick was issued by his family a few days before his funeral service.

It said: "Jamie was an exceptional person doing an exceptional job and alongside his comrades he saved the lives of hundreds of people by dismantling IEDs.

"Jamie was a true hero in the sense that he never sought nor expected praise for the work he was doing as to him it was just 'his job'.

"As a soldier, he proved that he had many qualities that made him a great leader. He was very calm under pressure and had an amazing ability to lift spirits when morale was getting low, often taking time out to comfort and cheer up anyone who he noticed needed it.

"The younger soldiers have been full of praise and respect for him, as they would go to him for guidance when they were struggling with anything and he would always have time for them and make a point of returning to check on their progress."

It added: "He died a soldier's death amongst friends and comrades who loved and respected him and that has been a great comfort to us.

"Though we loved him for just being Jamie, the solemn pride that we hold for the contribution and sacrifice he has made for this country is a ray of light in an otherwise dark hour."

Following the church service, a committal service was to take place at Llanelli Crematorium.