Funeral held for hero Liverpool marine

Nov 23 2006 By Jessica Shaughnessy, Daily Post Staff

A TEENAGE Royal Marine held back tears at the moving funeral service for his best friend - Liverpool man Ben Nowak.

Badly-injured Jack Cooper, 19, left hospital determined to pay his last respects to friend and fellow Marine, Corporal Nowak, 27, at the service in Liverpool.

The two were victims of a bomb attack on their boat near Basra, southern Iraq, on Remembrance Sunday.

Cpl Nowak and three other service personnel were killed after the device attached to a jetty detonated as they patrolled the Shatt al-Arab waterway.

Described at the service as a “truly great person“, Cpl Nowak had promised the younger man he would “look after” him in the war-torn region.

Both men arrived in Iraq just eight days earlier, and the older corporal befriended the young recruit, telling him: “Stick with me and I will look after you.”

The teenager, from Oldham, Lancs, underwent emergency surgery after being blasted with shrapnel in the face, shattering his jaw, neck, back and stomach.

Heavily bandaged to his neck and face, and still with a tube inserted in his nose, Pte Cooper grimaced in pain as he arrived for the service at Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral.

He was joined by hundreds of mourners, including Everton’s Premiership footballer Tim Cahill - a mark of respect from the club to Cpl Nowak, a lifelong Evertonian.

The Royal Marine, from Speke in Liverpool, served with 45 Commando, but was attached to 539 Assault Squadron.

On leave, he set up a Marine training course to give young footballers at Everton “mental stamina”.

Cpl Nowak’s coffin, bearing his white Royal Marine cap, belt and campaign medals and draped in a Union flag, was carried into the cathedral by six fellow Royal Marines.

Many servicemen and woman, many visibly upset, stood in silence among Cpl Nowak’s family and friends, to hear moving tributes.

Daniel McEvatt, Cpl Nowak’s cousin, told the congregation: “This will probably be the hardest thing I have ever had to do.

“I have promised to do this without crying. Standing here today should have been a best man’s speech.”

Mr McEvatt said the family had pooled their favourite memories to recite at the service.

Cpl Nowak’s mother Gillian Keary described him as “my son, my friend, my companion and my amusement”.

Mr McEvatt added: “He always brought happiness, hangovers and friendship. Every memory brings back a huge grin and infectious laugh. He is a hero, he will always be to us our Ben.”

The Rev John Williams described Cpl Nowak as giving “selfless service and commitment” to his family and friends.