Friends, family pay tribute to slain British soldier Lee Rigby | CNN

Friends, family pay tribute to slain British soldier Lee Rigby

Laura Smith-Spark, CNN
1 minute read
Updated 7:19 AM EDT, Fri July 12, 2013
Lee Rigby was identified as the victim killed in a cleaver attack on May 22. He was a member of the 2nd Battalion Royal Regiment of Fusiliers. The brutal killing of Rigby shocked the United Kingdom, with Prime Minister David Cameron saying the act appears to have been a terrorist attack.
Attack in Southeast London —
Lee Rigby was identified as the victim killed in a cleaver attack on May 22. He was a member of the 2nd Battalion Royal Regiment of Fusiliers. The brutal killing of Rigby shocked the United Kingdom, with Prime Minister David Cameron saying the act appears to have been a terrorist attack.
UK Ministry of Defense
Following his funeral, Royal Fusiliers carry Rigby's coffin out of the Bury Parish Church, on Friday, July 12.
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Following his funeral, Royal Fusiliers carry Rigby's coffin out of the Bury Parish Church, on Friday, July 12.
LINDSEY PARNABY/AFP/Getty Images
People line the streets to watch the funeral procession as it drives away from the church on July 12, in Bury, England.
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People line the streets to watch the funeral procession as it drives away from the church on July 12, in Bury, England.
Dave Thompson/WPA Pool/Getty Images
From left, Lyn Rigby, mother of the slain soldier, stepfather Ian Rigby and Lee's wife Rebecca Rigby grieve as Ian reads a family statement on Friday, May 24, in Bury, England.
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From left, Lyn Rigby, mother of the slain soldier, stepfather Ian Rigby and Lee's wife Rebecca Rigby grieve as Ian reads a family statement on Friday, May 24, in Bury, England.
Dave Thompson/WPA Pool/Getty Images
Flowers lay close to the scene where Rigby was killed on May 24, in London.
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Flowers lay close to the scene where Rigby was killed on May 24, in London.
Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
A man places flowers near the scene on May 24.
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A man places flowers near the scene on May 24.
Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
A police officer stands with flowers in a storm on Thursday, May 23, close to the crime scene in front of Woolwich Barracks in southeast London.
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A police officer stands with flowers in a storm on Thursday, May 23, close to the crime scene in front of Woolwich Barracks in southeast London.
Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
A man contemplates the makeshift memorial outside Woolwich Barracks in London.
Photos: Attack in Southeast London —
A man contemplates the makeshift memorial outside Woolwich Barracks in London.
Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
Flowers lie outside Woolwich Barracks on May 23.
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Flowers lie outside Woolwich Barracks on May 23.
Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
Soldiers walk outside Woolwich Barracks on Thursday, May 23, near where the soldier was killed.
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Soldiers walk outside Woolwich Barracks on Thursday, May 23, near where the soldier was killed.
FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA/EPA/LANDOV
Notes and shirts sit outside Woolwich Barracks on May 23. The slain soldier was wearing a "Help for Heroes" shirt when he was killed.
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Notes and shirts sit outside Woolwich Barracks on May 23. The slain soldier was wearing a "Help for Heroes" shirt when he was killed.
Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
British soldiers stand guard outside the barracks on May 23.
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British soldiers stand guard outside the barracks on May 23.
FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA/EPA/LANDOV
Britain's prime Minister David Cameron addresses media representatives at 10 Downing Street in London on May 23, a day after a soldier who was hacked to death in a London street by two suspected Islamist extremists.
Photos: Attack in Southeast London —
Britain's prime Minister David Cameron addresses media representatives at 10 Downing Street in London on May 23, a day after a soldier who was hacked to death in a London street by two suspected Islamist extremists.
Leon Neal/AFP/Getty Images
Members of the far-right English Defence League wear balaclavas as they gather outside a pub in Woolwich on Wednesday, May 22.
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Members of the far-right English Defence League wear balaclavas as they gather outside a pub in Woolwich on Wednesday, May 22.
JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images
EDL supporters confront police in Woolwich on May 22.
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EDL supporters confront police in Woolwich on May 22.
Rick Findler/Barcroft Media/Landov
EDL leader Tommy Robinson joins supporters at the crime scene on May 22.
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EDL leader Tommy Robinson joins supporters at the crime scene on May 22.
Rick Findler/Barcroft Media/Landov
A police officer guards a tent that's been set up at the crime scene as investigations continue late May 22.
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A police officer guards a tent that's been set up at the crime scene as investigations continue late May 22.
STEFAN WERMUTH/Reuters/Landov
Mary Warder brings flowers to the scene of the crime on May 22 to pay respects to the victim.
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Mary Warder brings flowers to the scene of the crime on May 22 to pay respects to the victim.
George Henton/Barcroft Media/Landov
Men place flowers near the scene on John Wilson Street.
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Men place flowers near the scene on John Wilson Street.
NICK ANSELL/PA Photos/Landov
A police officer guards a blocked-off area in Woolwich on May 22.
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A police officer guards a blocked-off area in Woolwich on May 22.
LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images
A general view of Woolwich Barracks, near the scene of the crime.
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A general view of Woolwich Barracks, near the scene of the crime.
Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
Police officers block off a road in Woolwich.
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Police officers block off a road in Woolwich.
CARL COURT/AFP/Getty Images
Forensic officers investigate the crime scene on May 22.
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Forensic officers investigate the crime scene on May 22.
Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
Police walk to the scene in Woolwich on May 22.
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Police walk to the scene in Woolwich on May 22.
Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
Photos: Attack in Southeast London

Story highlights

Family and friends attend a military funeral service held for slain soldier Lee Rigby

His commanding officer pays tribute to his charisma and courage

Rigby was killed in a daylight attack in southeast London

CNN  — 

Family and friends attended a military funeral Friday to pay tribute to Lee Rigby, the British soldier killed in an attack in southeast London in May.

Crowds gathered outside Bury Parish Church, near Manchester, and lined streets nearby to listen as the service was relayed by loudspeaker.

Rigby’s commanding officer, Lt. Col. Jim Taylor of the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, described the 25-year-old as a man who was “truly charismatic” and “larger than life.”

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Related video Rigby's widow: I'm proud to be his wife

Rigby had fulfilled a lifelong ambition to be a soldier and served with enthusiasm and courage, he said.

The service was to be followed by a private family burial.

Rigby was killed in a daylight attack on May 22 near the Woolwich barracks where he was based.

Two men, Michael Adebowale, 22, and Michael Adebolajo, 28, are accused of his murder.

A preliminary trial date has been set for November.