Can anyone make these words out?(edited)

[jadewing]

I just got a photo of an ancestor's headstone, but the inscription is very difficult to decipher.

This is what I can make out but any help would be appreciated (only a few words left!):

sacred
to the memory of
Corporal Ferdinand Walters
of her majestys [2nd] regiment
of life guards
in which he served [upwards] of
21 years with [the] _____ ____
throughout his [long] service
his conduct was such as to gain him
the esteem of his officers
and his [manly and social]qualities
as a comrade caused him
to be universally respected
in the corps
died 23th of july 1848
aged 45 years

deeply regretted by all who knew him

Thanks!

[JAP]

The last word of the first section seems to be 'qualities' and the word before 'respected' seems to be 'universally'.

JAP

[jadewing]

Thanks JAP, that makes sense.  And probably makes it "caused him to be universally respected in the corps".

Getting there!

[JillJ]

The last word on the line which begins '21 years' looks like 'heart'.  That's about the best I can do!

Jill