The flag at Didcot’s Vauxhall Barracks flew at half-mast today as a tribute to bomb disposal expert Sgt Brett Linley, 29, of 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal, killed in a bomb blast on Saturday in Afghanistan.

His body, along with Marine Jonathan Crookes, Sgt David Monkhouse and senior aircraftman Kinikki Griffiths, will be taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital for post-mortem examinations on Thursday at 4pm.

Meanwhile, the bodies of Major James Bowman, Lt Neal Turkington, Corp Arjun Purja Pun and Marine Matthew Harrison are due to arrive at the JR tomorrow at 4pm.