9:22am Friday 23rd July 2010
THE families of four British servicemen killed in Afghanistan wept yesterday as their loved ones’ bodies were returned to Britain.
Hearses carrying the flag-draped coffins of Staff Sergeant Brett Linley, 29, of 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment, and Sergeant David Monkhouse, a 35-yearold member of the Royal Dragoon Guards – which are stationed at Catterick Garrison – passed through Wootton Bassett after being repatriated to nearby 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 – which was covered with more floral tributes.
Kimberley Reeve, 39, came from Catterick, in North Yorkshire, with a group of soldiers’ wives to pay tribute to Sgt Monkhouse.
Sgt Monkhouse was a medic for Mrs Reeve’s husband, who served alongside him in Afghanistan.
“We’re so proud of him and all of them out there,” she said. “He was larger than life and will be larger in death. He will never be forgotten.”
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