TERRY LLOYD 2

The great and the good from the world of journalism turned out in force to honour one of their own, a Derby lad who reached the top in his chosen profession. They gathered in their hundreds at St Bride's Church in London's Fleet Street to remember Terry Lloyd, exactly one year after his death in Iraq.

Set back from Fleet Street, down a short alley, stands St Bride's Church, the spiritual home of journalism. Wren's beautiful church, which became the journalists' church by virtue of its proximity to national newspaper offices, is hidden by other buildings crowding around it, jostling for space in the heart of the capital.

Like news reporters, there not to make a name for themselves, but to witness and record events on behalf of the people, so St Bride's remains in the background, to minister to, to witness and to record the lives of journalists. Terry Lloyd, the Derby-born reporter who died in Iraq in 2003, did become a household name, although he never set out to be one. He cared passionately about the stories he was bringing to the public's attention, not about his appearance in front of the camera.

And, inside the business, he was known as a safe pair of hands, a man who could be trusted to get the job done, as his colleagues said. Jon Snow, who presents Channel 4 News, said, "Terry was a real journalist, he was a great journalist, he was utterly committed and a lovely guy to boot, although we didn't boot him often! I really think he was of the old school. He didn't mind what he looked like on camera, he minded the content of what he said. His absence shows, even now."

Trevor McDonald, presenter of ITV1's News at Ten, recalled, "I had breakfast with Terry the morning before he went off. He was always so anxious to get out on assignment. He was so keen and enthusiastic, the hallmarks of a great professional. It was hard to get into Iraq then, but he sent a message, saying, 'I'm in'. We all remember him as someone who was just about the most professional reporter you could find. We all miss him. I can't believe it's a year."

They were among hundreds of colleagues who arrived at St Bride's to take part in a memorial service for Terry. His widow, Lynn, daughter Chelsey and son Oliver must have been moved by the turnout. So full was the church that some people had to stand at the back. The spring sunlight poured through the Romanesque arches as family and friends sang good, old-fashioned, rousing hymns including Lord Of All Hopefulness and Jerusalem.

Evening Telegraph columnist Lucy Orgill and her husband, John, long-time friends of Terry, were also at the service. Lucy had taken with her a special package for Chelsey, a baby blanket she had left at Lucy's house 20 years earlier. "I always kept it, but somehow we never got around to returning it," she said.

Lucy, of Littleover, had known Terry since he was 16. John worked with Terry both at Raymonds News Agency in Derby and at Central News during the early 1980s. "We had some great times with Terry," said Lucy. "Hilarious times. We spent some memorable holidays and evenings with him and Lynn. We last saw him just before he went to Iraq. He called in and helped me look for my passport. He was really nosy, he loved looking through my drawers! We have so many anecdotes about Terry. We have wonderful memories of him."

John reminisced, "When Lynn was in hospital having Chelsey, he gave me a call to see if I would deliver some whiskey and cigars. When I arrived, Chelsey had just been born and he was so overwhelmed he had tears streaming down his face." The choir sang Verdi's Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves, Queen's Who Wants to Live Forever and Sting's Fields Of Gold.

"Fields Of Gold was my choice," said Chelsey. "The words are so meaningful for me. I'm so overwhelmed by the number of people here. The service was wonderful." She added, "I'm Derby born and my dad had a great affection for Derby, it's an important link for the family."

David Mannion, the editor of ITV News, addressed the congregation to pay tribute to the man who became his lifelong friend, after they first met in Derby as young reporters for Raymonds. "Terry would have been astonished and embarrassed at the number of people here," said David.

The rector of St Bride's, Canon David Meara, said, "We celebrate Terry's career but also Terry the man. He served as a journalist with panache and had a deep love for his family. His untimely death has left an emptiness in our lives." Martin Bashir, the reporter whose interviews with Princess Diana and Michael Jackson created headlines, said after the service, "Terry was a fantastic bloke, just brilliant. He was really humble but really dashing. There are lots of people here today who work for BBC News. Terry never worked for the BBC. Every broadcasting organisation is here, across the board. Their presence just goes to show how highly Terry was regarded."

Terry Lloyd grew up in Alvaston. He began his brilliant reporting career in Derby as a teenager at Raymonds Press Agency, where he rose to become news editor. He moved to Central News, where he stayed until joining ITN in 1983. He was with ITN for more than 20 years.

The 51-year-old went missing on March 22, 2003, after coming under fire near the Iraqi town of Basra. The journalist and his team were caught in the crossfire between Iraqi and American forces. He was working with cameraman Fred Nerac and local translator Hussein Othman, who have never been found.

Mr Lloyd was reporting on the coalition troops' advance on Basra when he died. He was in one of two cars travelling towards Basra when they spotted Iraqi troops. Upon turning back, they were caught in crossfire between the Iraqis and Americans. Another cameraman, Daniel Demoustier, was injured as the crew drove towards the city.

A Royal Military Police investigation continues into Mr Lloyd's death and the disappearance of the two other men. The University of Derby awarded Mr Lloyd a posthumous honorary degree earlier this year, which was collected by his 21-year-old daughter, Chelsey. The funeral was held in the village he had made his home, Cuddington, Buckinghamshire.

His family have been beset by tragedy. His father, Aled, was a Derbyshire policeman who was killed in an accident in 1970 while attending a 999 call. Terry's brother, Kevin Lloyd, best known as Det Con Tosh Lines in TV's The Bill, died in 1998 after a long battle with alcoholism and his mother, Agnes died in April, 2001. (Source: Derby Evening Telegraph)

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