THE funeral of an Army major killed by a rogue Afghan soldier will take place in Salisbury Cathedral on Friday.

Major James Joshua Bowman, 34, of 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles, was shot dead while sleeping in his quarters is Nahr-e Saraj, Helmand Province, on July 13.

The rogue Afghan soldier also fired a rocket-propelled grenade into the base’s command centre, killing Lieutenant Neal Turkington, 26, and Corporal Arjun Purja Pun, 33.

Described by his comrades as “a brave leader” with a “rare determination”, Maj Bowman, from Salisbury, is the most senior soldier to be killed in the war after Lt Col Rupert Thorneloe, who was killed last July.

His funeral will take place at the cathedral at 11.30am, followed by a private cremation at Salisbury Crematorium.

In a statement released after his death, his family said: “He was the best possible son and brother who will be sadly missed by his family and many friends.

“He loved the Army and was very proud of the selfless work he and his company were doing.”

Maj Bowman started his Army career as a rifle platoon commander in B Company 1st Battalion The Light Infantry, having commissioned from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in 1999.

He was posted to a variety of places, including Northern Ireland, Germany, Iraq, Sierra Leone and Brunei.

Major Shaun Chandler, from 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles, said: “Major Josh Bowman was a true gentleman and epitomised all that is good in an infantry officer.

“Humble, courageous, and good-natured he had a real empathy with the men who were privileged to have had him as their commander.”