A packed congregation at Hamilton’s Anglican Cathedral bore solemn tribute to Major Christian Wheddon of the Bermuda Regiment, whose flag-draped coffin was carried with full military honours.Hamilton’s streets fell quiet as a motorcade brought Major Wheddon’s body to the Cathedral on a gun carriage. He was laid to rest yesterday in Christ Church, Warwick.Silent grief marked the ceremony for the 43-year-old, who died on September 9 after a car crash in the UK.Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Brian Gonsalves acknowledged that Major Wheddon, who early this summer volunteered to attend a three-month programme of “command-specific training” in the UK, had been a rising star of the Regiment.But there were also occasional breaks of laughter, as colleagues and family recalled his life.Lt Col Gonsalves read tributes, including condolences from General Sir Peter Wall, chief of staff at the UK Ministry of Defence.Recalling his pride at giving security support for the London Olympics, Lt Col Gonsalves told the service: “With his amazing and tireless enthusiasm, Chris was flying the flag high for both the Regiment and Country.”Looking back on their work together in the early 2000s, when Major Wheddon served as second in command, Lt Col Gonsalves remembered Major Wheddon having the drive to “throw himself 100 percent into the Regiment” while serving as a full time police officer.“I could always count on Chris to be a sounding board. He could always be relied upon for a creative alternative perspective when it came to solving problems, and the Regiment and I will miss him for his insight.”He also commended a colleague who “always looked on the bright side”, with an irrepressible sense of humour.“Chris, more so than I, had a profound eye for the small details and specifics, and was a walking Wikipedia when it came to any piece of military hardware.”Adjutant of the Regiment from 2004 to 2008, Major Wheddon served as aide-de-camp to the Governor from 2008 to 2011, then went on to take command of the Support Company.“We have lost a son, father, brother and friend — one who was dedicated to family and military,” Lt Col Gonsalves said. “One who will be missed but never forgotten. A true officer and a gentleman. May he rest in peace.”Brother officer Lt Col William White remembered Major Wheddon joining the Regiment in 1987, working as a part-time junior officer with a “never ending succession of practical jokes”.He joined the police in 1997, and was promoted to Sergeant in 2003 before choosing to end his service in 2005.Recalling Major Wheddon’s passion for sailing, Lt Col White described how his colleague acquired a “small and battered yacht on eBay” after Hurricane Fabian and became a keen racer, including racing in the New York Yacht Club Regatta this year.“Chris Wheddon thrived in a long and successful career in service to his community here at home, and to his country on the international stage.“He was a thoughtful, versatile and fun individual. He was a kind hearted and decent person. He was an enabler, a polished man of action.”In his tribute, Major George Jones said: “Chris and I have been friends since we were five in Saltus, and I think that might be his first uniform.”Major Wheddon, he said, “saw the potential in the challenge. He had a great ability to do that with everything.”Younger brother Major Julian Wheddon said: “He lived life to the full, without fuss or fanfare, always putting others first, ever a great friend, loving son and a big brother in every way. I do not remember a time when I was not completely in awe of my big brother.”Looking back on his school days, he said: “Though he was exceptionally bright and talented, he used these attributes to develop a total campaign of ingenious rebellion, while always maintaining the highest respect for his teachers, and I suspect the admiration of many of them.”He spoke of his brother’s passion for travel, adding: “If there’s money in heaven, he will be broke.“If there are electronic gadgets, he will have the latest and the best. If there’s a China and a Europe, he will travel both by train, and sail between the two. But most of all, he’ll be looking down on us, my big brother still.”Governor George Fergusson, Premier Paula Cox and National Security Minister Wayne Perinchief attended, as did parents David and Margaret Wheddon, siblings Mark, Julian, Kim and Mark Wheddon, and daughter Katherine.The Bermuda Islands Pipe Band played, colleagues saluted, and the Regimental Guard stood at attention, as Major Wheddon’s casket was taken down the Cathedral steps.