Family and friends gather for the funeral of the tragic soldier who died after collapsing during last month's London Marathon 

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Family, friends and colleagues have today gathered for the funeral of a soldier who died after collapsing at the London Marathon. 

Captain David Seath, originally from Cowdenbeath in Fife but based in Plymouth, Devon, was a fire support team commander in 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery.

The 31-year-old suffered a suspected cardiac arrest while running the 26.2-mile course on April 24 and later died in hospital.

Pictured are Captain David Seath's colleagues carrying his coffin, which has been draped in the Union flag

Pictured (left) is the order if service for Captain Seath's funeral today and (right) his girlfriend Gaby Schoenberger

Gaby Schoenenberger had traveled to the capital last Sunday to watch David run the 26.2 miles of the course

Hundreds of mourners have gathered for a service at St Margaret's RC Memorial Church, Dunfermline, led by parish priest Father Chris Heenan.

His military colleagues carried his coffin, which was draped in a Union flag.  

Capt Seath's girlfriend Gaby Schoenberger said his death had left a 'devastatingly large hole in our lives'. She also wore the Union flag as a scarf for the funeral.

She had travelled to the capital to watch David run the 26.2 miles of the famous course.

He was a 31-year-old commando, a veteran of Afghanistan and a strong 400-metre runner in his youth, so she was confident he would finish the race in a decent time. 

Nobody expected he would struggle to complete the challenge or collapse just three miles from the finish line. 

But he suffered a cardiac arrest and died after being rushed to hospital. 

Hundreds of mourners attend the funeral of a war veteran who collapsed during the London Marathon

His devastated friends are now planning to walk the final three miles and complete his run in his honour

During the service, Captain James Walker-McClimens read a tribute on behalf of Capt Seath's brother Gary

The 350-capacity church was full, with dozens more standing in the aisles and at the back to hear the service

During the service, Captain James Walker-McClimens read a tribute on behalf of Capt Seath's brother Gary.

He recounted childhood memories and spoke of his brother's love of cars and sport.

The speaker told the hundreds of gathered mourners: 'David was my hero and my inspiration. I was so proud to say that he was a Captain in 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery and that he served his country with distinction in Afghanistan and the Middle East.'

He went on: 'Words can't express how proud I was listening to him as he described his tours of Afghanistan and the Middle East.

'I learnt so much about David's tours of duty, the strong bond of comradeship he had found in the Army as well as the many plans he had for the future.

'There are no words to express how devastated I am that this story has so tragically ended, with so many chapters left unwritten.

'I take great strength in the memories of him and the pride that he had in being an officer of 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery.

'He was dedicated to his men and supporting those who could not fight for themselves against the tyranny of the modern world.' 

Gary Seath walks after the funeral as mourners attend the funeral of war veteran David Seath at St Margaret's RC Memorial Church, Dunfermline

Some wore bright colours in line with a request from the family. They had previously indicated they wanted the funeral to be a celebration of his life

Mourners attend the funeral of war veteran David Seath at St Margaret's RC Memorial Church, Dunfermline, Fife

The 350-capacity church was full, with dozens more standing in the aisles and at the back to hear the service.

Some wore bright colours in line with a request from the family. They had previously indicated they wanted the funeral to be a celebration of his life.

Capt Seath's officer commanding, Major Jim McCaffery, paid tribute to him ahead of the service.

He said: 'It's with great sadness that we're here to say farewell to Captain David Seath. David was an inspiration to us all and I genuinely couldn't have wished for a finer officer. He will be sorely missed and our thoughts and prayers are with David's loved ones at this trying time.'

David Seath, 31, collapsed just three miles short of the finish line from a suspected cardiac arrest

 Capt Seath's officer commanding, Major Jim McCaffery, paid tribute to him ahead of the service

Major McCaffery (pictured), Battery Commander of 7 (Sphinx) Commando Battery, also spoke during the service to praise Capt Seath as an 'intelligent, diligent and professional soldier'

Guard of honour: Captain Seath's body is taken away as his military colleagues march alongside the car

Major McCaffery, Battery Commander of 7 (Sphinx) Commando Battery, also spoke during the service to praise Capt Seath as an 'intelligent, diligent and professional soldier'.

He referred to his 'irrepressible sense of fun' and said: 'Everyone who came into contact with him felt better for it. His thirst for life, his joy in the moment and his sense of mischief gave him the ability to bring out a smile or a laugh under any circumstance and he was genuinely a pleasure to behold.'

He went on: 'It was the thoughtful, caring aspects of his character that cemented lifelong friendships and have drawn so many people here today.

'David would have always gone out of his way to help any of his friends, regardless of whether he met you yesterday or hadn't seen you for a decade.

'It is entirely fitting that Dave's final act would be in support of those he did not know personally but whom he knew required his help.' 

His devastated friends are now planning to walk the final three miles and complete his run in his honour

Capt Seath's girlfriend Gaby Schoenberger said his death had left a 'devastatingly large hole in our lives'. She also wore the Union flag as a scarf for the funeral

Gary Seath at funeral of his brother, war veteran David Seath, at St Margaret's RC Memorial Church, Dunfermline, Fife

Family and friends have today gathered for the funeral of the marine who died after collapsing at the London Marathon

Mourners attend the funeral of war veteran David Seath at St Margaret's RC Memorial Church, Dunfermline, Fife

Hundreds of mourners have gathered for a service at St Margaret's RC Memorial Church, Dunfermline, led by parish priest Father Chris Heenan.

Pictured (left) is Captain Seath's brother Gary at the funeral and (right) his colleagues carrying the coffin

On the fateful day Miss Schoenberger was ready to cheer on her soldier boy at mile 25, near Embankment Underground station.

As she stood with a friend, tracking his run on an app she never knew what was happening. 

After four hours from the start Capt Seath was still not in sight and his girlfriend became worried. 

Then her phone rang and it was a nurse at the hospital. She said have you heard from David Seath, and her heart just fell. 

She was picked up by a paramedic and rushed to St Thomas' Hospital. David was on a life support machine after collapsing near the 23-mile mark. 

Captain David Seath, originally from Cowdenbeath in Fife but based in Plymouth, Devon, was a fire support team commander in 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery

As their relationship became closer Miss Schoenberger flew down to see him - even though her friends thought she was mad for doing so

Doctors asked Miss Schoenberger about his medical history but there was nothing to indicate he may suffer a cardiac arrest during exercise. 

Despite the medical team's efforts they could do nothing for him and he died. 

Earlier this week it was revealed that Capt Seath was going to propose to Miss Schoenberger.

She told The Sunday Times: 'I found out that night that David had asked my dad for his blessing at Easter when we were on a family holiday.

Earlier this week it was revealed that Capt Seath was going to propose to Miss Schoenberger.

'David was being posted to Afghanistan in July this year for seven months and he was intending on proposing when he got back — but he wanted to make sure, to check it with my dad.'

He told her father before he traveled to the Middle East in case he never returned so he could tell tell Gaby of what he intended. 

Despite being posted on another tour Capt Seath was positive but Miss Schoenberger was 'devastated' that they would be apart again.  

He said they would look back in 30-40 years time and think it was awful to be apart but they were together now.

She said they had not discussed marriage but always wanted to head in that direction. 

'It shows that, without me ever saying anything, he knew how important it would be to me that he ask my dad's permission,' she added. 

'That's just David, he was such a gentleman.'

She would of course have said yes, she added. 

The couple met after a mutual friend put them in contact with each other. 

It was the end of 2014 and Miss Schoenberger was living in Edinburgh working in the textile business she started up. 

At the start they messaged and spoke on the phone as Capt Seath was almost 500 miles away in Plymouth serving with 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery.

As their relationship became closer Miss Schoenberger flew down to see him - even though her friends thought she was mad for doing so. 

They met opposite Exeter Cathedral and she remembers seeing his 'beautiful face' with sparkling eyes. 

That evening they headed off on their first date - an indoor picnic in front of Jurassic Park which was  Miss Schoenberger's favourite film.

She said she kept crying randomly after seeing him because she never thought they would meet.

Paying tribute to him after his death, his mother Libby said: 'David has achieved more in 31 years than most people do in 70. 

'He lived his life on the edge and to the full. He was running to raise money for Help for Heroes, a cause which was very important to him.' 

Distraught: The night he died Gaby (pictured) discovered David had asked her father for her hand in marriage

Captain David Seath , with partner Gaby, who died three miles short of the London Marathon finish line

On the fateful day Gaby was ready to cheer on her soldier boy at mile 25, near Embankment Underground

Lieutenant Colonel Jon Cresswell, Commanding Officer of 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery, paid tribute to the former University of Aberdeen student, who he described as 'outstanding, witty, charming and polished'.

He said: 'The Regiment was devastated to learn of the tragic loss of Captain Dave Seath during 2016's London Marathon. 

'Dave was an outstanding commando officer, a natural leader and a true gentleman. He was my Assistant Adjutant and so I knew him very well. He served on operations in Helmand with 19th Regiment Royal Artillery before joining the Commando Gunners and earning his green beret.

'Witty, charming and polished, Dave was a fabulous host and stylish performer. As such he was the obvious choice to lead the Blue Peter Ten Tors team last year. 

'Selected to train the future officers of the Afghan National Army later this year in the rank of major, Dave had a great career ahead of him. The thoughts of the Regiment are with Gabby and Dave's family and friends at this tragic time.

'We have lost one of the great characters of our Regiment and take strength from the memory of his example and leadership.'