Four families weep for fallen heroes as bodies return from Afghanistan

Hearses carrying the Union Flag-draped coffins of Staff Sergeant Brett Linley, 29, of 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment, and Sergeant David Monkhouse, a 35-year-old member of the Royal Dragoon Guards, passed through Wootton Bassett after being repatriated to RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire.

They were followed by Senior Aircraftman Kinikki Griffiths, 20, of 1 Squadron RAF Regiment, and Marine Jonathan Crookes, 26, of 40 Commando Royal Marines.

Hundreds of mourners lined the high street to pay their respects.

Family members placed flowers on top of the hearses as they paused for a minute's silence next to the town's war memorial.

Kimberley Reeve, 39, came from Catterick, in North Yorkshire, with a group of soldiers' wives to pay tribute to Sgt Monkhouse, who was a medic for Mrs Reeve's husband in Afghanistan.

"We're so proud of him and all of them out there," she said. "As my husband said, he was larger than life and will be larger in death. He will never be forgotten."

It came yesterday as the funeral was held for Private Thomas Sephton, who was killed as he saved his friend's life after a roadside bomb attack in Afghanistan.

Tributes to the 20-year-old were led by the man he saved, Private Charlie Emina. The pair, of the 1st Battalion Mercian Regiment, were patrolling on July 4 when caught in the blast.

In a statement read by Major Ronnie Goodwin, Pte Emina said: "He saved the lives of his section on two occasions and on that tragic day he saved my life and gave his own. He is a true hero to his friends, family and his country."