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Soldiers' bodies are brought home Soldiers' bodies are brought home
(40 minutes later)
The bodies of seven British soldiers killed in Afghanistan have been returned to the UK via RAF Lyneham.The bodies of seven British soldiers killed in Afghanistan have been returned to the UK via RAF Lyneham.
Coffins containing L/Cpl David Ramsden, Colour Sgt Martyn Horton, Pte Alex Isaac, Pte Douglas Halliday, Sgt Steven Darbyshire, L/Cpl Michael Taylor and Marine Paul Warren flew in at 1500 BST.Coffins containing L/Cpl David Ramsden, Colour Sgt Martyn Horton, Pte Alex Isaac, Pte Douglas Halliday, Sgt Steven Darbyshire, L/Cpl Michael Taylor and Marine Paul Warren flew in at 1500 BST.
Four died on the same day when their armoured vehicle plunged into a canal near Gereshk, Helmand province.Four died on the same day when their armoured vehicle plunged into a canal near Gereshk, Helmand province.
And three marines were killed in as many days by enemy action last week.And three marines were killed in as many days by enemy action last week.
With the death of a bomb disposal expert announced on Monday, a total of 20 servicemen have now died in June.With the death of a bomb disposal expert announced on Monday, a total of 20 servicemen have now died in June.
A private ceremony will be held at the base before the cortege passes through the nearby town of Wootton Bassett this evening.A private ceremony will be held at the base before the cortege passes through the nearby town of Wootton Bassett this evening.

Most recent UK fatalities

Total deaths 2010: 64
Updated: Jun 28 2010Full list
Lieutenant Colonel Paul James, commanding officer of Somerset-based 40 Commando, said: "It has been an immensely hard week for 40 Commando, and though we mark the loss of three irreplaceable men, we will not break stride.Lieutenant Colonel Paul James, commanding officer of Somerset-based 40 Commando, said: "It has been an immensely hard week for 40 Commando, and though we mark the loss of three irreplaceable men, we will not break stride.
"We owe it to the sacrifice these brave marines have made to remain entirely focused on our mission; to protect the people of Sangin in partnership with the Afghan army - and we shall."We owe it to the sacrifice these brave marines have made to remain entirely focused on our mission; to protect the people of Sangin in partnership with the Afghan army - and we shall.
"The Taliban cannot win as they offer only violence and intimidation, and the people of Sangin know it. Even in the most pro-Taliban of areas there is only 20% support for their cause."The Taliban cannot win as they offer only violence and intimidation, and the people of Sangin know it. Even in the most pro-Taliban of areas there is only 20% support for their cause.
"It is slow, hard and often painful but we are making progress here. There are well over twice as many shops in the Sangin bazaar than this time last year and there is irreversible momentum being achieved in the areas of governance and development."It is slow, hard and often painful but we are making progress here. There are well over twice as many shops in the Sangin bazaar than this time last year and there is irreversible momentum being achieved in the areas of governance and development.
"40 Commando remain absolutely resolute. To be morose, to be introspective, and to doubt is to give ground to our enemy."40 Commando remain absolutely resolute. To be morose, to be introspective, and to doubt is to give ground to our enemy.
"If we are anything other than ruthless in our pursuit we will lose. We will prevail in Sangin.""If we are anything other than ruthless in our pursuit we will lose. We will prevail in Sangin."
'Ultimate sacrifice'
Lieutenant Colonel Andy Hadfield, commanding officer of 1 Mercian, said: "Without doubt this has been a difficult week in Afghanistan, with a number of men losing their lives. But the soldier does not have the freedom to choose where he is sent and what he must do when he gets there.Lieutenant Colonel Andy Hadfield, commanding officer of 1 Mercian, said: "Without doubt this has been a difficult week in Afghanistan, with a number of men losing their lives. But the soldier does not have the freedom to choose where he is sent and what he must do when he gets there.
"He does however have the freedom to choose to do the right thing and to do it to the very best of his ability, and sometimes this requires that he make the ultimate sacrifice."He does however have the freedom to choose to do the right thing and to do it to the very best of his ability, and sometimes this requires that he make the ultimate sacrifice.
"With the obvious exception of their loved ones at home, no-one feels the pain of the losses in Afghanistan more than the servicemen and women out here."With the obvious exception of their loved ones at home, no-one feels the pain of the losses in Afghanistan more than the servicemen and women out here.
"I read a lot in the media that questions whether the sacrifice is worth it, and whether anything is being achieved through our efforts. The answer is overwhelmingly yes.""I read a lot in the media that questions whether the sacrifice is worth it, and whether anything is being achieved through our efforts. The answer is overwhelmingly yes."
He said: "We mourn the loss of our most recent dead, the four men who died assisting the Gereshk City Police, but we know that their efforts were improving the police in preparation for longer term stability and were making that city of 80,000 people safer.He said: "We mourn the loss of our most recent dead, the four men who died assisting the Gereshk City Police, but we know that their efforts were improving the police in preparation for longer term stability and were making that city of 80,000 people safer.
"The rest of the team who are left are focused on continuing their work, and have demanded a replacement vehicle and crew to enable them to get out on the ground again.""The rest of the team who are left are focused on continuing their work, and have demanded a replacement vehicle and crew to enable them to get out on the ground again."