Military bands played tributes

Relatives of 24-year-old Llywelyn Evans, from Llandudno, north Wales, travelled to RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire for his arrival on Saturday.

His coffin was one of 10 draped in flags to be flown into the air base and then released for family burials.

Mr Evans, known as Welly to his friends, was a Lance Bombardier with the 29 Commando regiment which supports the Royal Marines.

He was one of 12 servicemen killed when an American Sea Knight crashed on the first day of the Iraqi conflict.

A keen player for Llandudno RFC's youth team, he had been planning marry his fiancee next year.

His 20-year-old brother Lee, who had also been serving in the Gulf in the Royal Artillery, has flown home on compassionate leave.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said the body would be officially repatriated and passed over to the family.

Lance Bombardier Llywelyn Evans died at the start of the war

His funeral is expected to be arranged within the next week or two.

Mr Evans died when an American CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter transporting them into southern Iraq crashed near the border.

His father Gordon praised his bravery.

"On behalf of my whole family I would like to say that we all devastated by the loss of our son Llywelyn Karl Evans," he said.

"Whilst we are deeply saddened we are and always will be proud of him.

"We wish to express our sincere thanks to all of our family, friends and local people for their kindness and support.

"This has given us great strength," he added.

Special prayers were said in Llandudno last Sunday in remembrance of Lance Bombardier Evans.