A soldier with a “thirst for joy” who died after collapsing during the London Marathon was buried yesterday.
Captain David Seath, 31, from Cowdenbeath, Fife, was a fire support team commander in 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery and had served in Afghanistan.
He was running in support of the Help For Heroes charity on April 24 when he suffered a suspected cardiac arrest after completing 23 miles of the course. Captain Seath died in hospital later the same day.
A 400-strong gathering of family, friends and comrades attended the funeral service at St Margaret’s RC memorial church in Dunfermline.
Captain James Walker-McClimens read a tribute on behalf of Captain Seath’s brother, Gary. He evoked childhood memories and spoke of his brother’s love of cars and sport.
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“David was my hero and my inspiration,” Gary Seath had written. “I was so proud to say that . . . he served his country with distinction in Afghanistan and the Middle East.”
He continued: “I learnt so much about David’s tours of duty, the strong bond of comradeship he had found in the army, as well as the many plans he had for the future.”
“David was dedicated to his men and supported those who could not fight for themselves against the tyranny of the modern world.
“My life is now dedicated to ensuring that his legacy continues.”
Every pew in the church was taken, with dozens of people standing in the aisles and at the back to hear the service.
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Some wore the bright colours requested by the family in their desire to turn the occasion into a celebration of Captain Seath’s life.
Major Jim McCaffery, battery commander of 7 (Sphinx) Commando Battery, addressed the congregation, praising Captain Seath as an “intelligent, diligent and professional soldier”.
He highlighted his “irrepressible sense of fun” and said: “Everyone who came into contact with him felt better for it. His thirst for life, his joy in the moment and his sense of mischief gave him the ability to bring out a smile or a laugh under any circumstance and he was genuinely a pleasure to behold.”
He added: “It was the thoughtful, caring aspects of his character that cemented lifelong friendships and have drawn so many people here today.
“David would have always gone out of his way to help any of his friends, regardless of whether he met you yesterday or hadn’t seen you for a decade.
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“It is entirely fitting that Dave’s final act would be in support of those he did not know personally.”
Leading the service, Father Chris Heenan spoke of the shock and disbelief following the officer’s death but said there had been a “tremendous outpouring of love and affection” for him.
Following the memorial, hundreds of mourners followed the hearse taking the coffin — draped in a Union Jack — to a private burial.