An impressive line-up of young cadets provided a fitting tribute to the man who helped train them over many years before his untimely death.

The cadets were members of the 153 Slough Squadron ATC and they provided a guard of honour as Russell Elsom’s coffin was carried into St Mary’s Church in Church Street, Slough last Friday.

Russell, of Meadfield Road, Langley, served with the cadets when a teenager, returning as a civilian instructor and recently completing training enabling him to go back into uniform as a sergeant.

His tragic death at the age of 31, following complications caused by diabetes, left his friends and family devastated.

His mother and father Tracy and Alex and sister, Kat, were among the many at the funeral service.

Reverend Linda Hillier, the 153 Slough Squadron ATC’s padre and an associate priest at the church, officiated.

The church was full of Russell’s colleagues at the Heathrow Worldwide Distribution Centre, where he had worked since he was 18 - earning an amazing reputation.

His boss Kamaljit Juttla told the congregation he was being groomed for a major promotion.

He praised Russell’s ‘huge emotional intelligence and brilliance, coupled with analytical understanding’.

Flight Lieutenant Luke Baker from the ATC also spoke about his friend

Speaking after the service Russell's mother said: "We were taken aback by the turn-out. People were there from all stages of Russell's life.

"We found out so many things we did not know about him, because he would never sing his own praises.

"He had had an impact on so many peoples' lives.

"It is a sad time but I'm so proud of what he packed so much into his short life."