THE families and colleagues of two soldiers killed in Iraq have come together to pay tribute to the pair.

Corporal Kris O'Neill and Private Eleanor Dlugosz, from 3 Close Support Medical Regiment, the Royal Army Medical Corps, died when their armoured vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb in April.

The regiment gathered at their base at Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, yesterday to receive their Operation Telic medals.

Operation Telic is the codename for the current campaign in Iraq.

The presentation was followed by prayers and eulogies to the two soldiers who never returned home, The Last Post was played and two spaces were left in the regimental formation where the dead soldiers would have stood.

Cpl O'Neill, 27, lived in Catterick with his wife, Tina, and their three-year-old sons, Adam and Conner.

His brother, Michael, said: "Being here means a lot to the family.

"It's a way of spending time within Kris' Army life."

The soldier, who was originally from Halifax, was a keen footballer, a life-time supporter of Leeds United and a talented chess player.

"There's not a day goes by when I don't think anyone of the family doesn't think about him." his brother added.

"He was a wonderful person who inspired a lot of people."

Padre David Banbury, who led the memorial service, told the soldiers: "I don't think any of you will forget the events of Thursday, April 5.

"Everyone will remember where you were when you heard the news of the incident.

"That memory will stay with us for the rest of our lives."

The regiment is the first from 19 Light Brigade to present medals and remember its dead after returning from Iraq in May after a seven-month tour.

The medals were presented by Colonel Chris Parker, who commanded the Medics during the first part of their tour.

He said: "I saw at first hand your professionalism which was absolutely outstanding throughout the tour.

"Providing intimate medical support to the troops out there is particularly challenging.

"I welcome you all back and I congratulate you on a fantastic job well done."

Cpl O'Neill and Pte Dlugosz, 19, from Southampton, were killed alongside Second Lieutenant Joanna Dyer, 24, and Kingsman Adam Smith, 19, both from the 2nd Battalion, the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment.