The bodies of three British soldiers killed in Afghanistan were repatriated to Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital last night.

The cortege made its way along Headley Way in Headington at about 7pm and was met by a silent tribute.

Lance Corporal Martin Gill, of 42 Commando Royal Marines, Corporal Michael Pike, of 4th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, and Rifleman Martin Lamb, of 1st Battalion The Rifles, were flown into RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire.

A private service was held at the base’s chapel before the cortege passed through nearby Wootton Bassett.

The deaths of the three men took to 371 the number of UK military personnel who have died in Afghanistan since 2001.