The bodies of two Oxfordshire-based service personnel killed in Iraq were honoured in a sombre ceremony at RAF Brize Norton.

Flight Lieutenant Sarah Mulvihill, 32, and Wing Commander John Coxen, 46, were killed alongside three others when their helicopter brought down by a suspected rocket strike in Basra on May 6.

All five bodies were flown back to Britain in a Boeing C-17 on Thursday, with a 45-minute repatriation service held at RAF Brize Norton.

In addition to family and fellow servicemen, the ceremony was attended by HRH the Duchess of Gloucester, representing the Royal Household, and Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram.

As the Band of Her Majesty's Royal Marines Britannia Royal Naval College played, one by one the coffins, draped in Union flags, were brought out of the plane by pallbearers from each of the three services.

There were no speeches, the only words being the chaplain's prayers, drowned out by sombre music.

As the coffins were carried into the waiting hearses, officers raised the salute in silence.

Despite the presence of clergy, yesterday's event was not a religious ceremony but a military one, an MoD spokesman said.

"It is a dignified and solemn receiving of colleagues killed in operations," she said.

Flt Lt Mulvihill, is the only British servicewoman killed in the war, while Wg Cmdr Coxen is the most senior officer.

Also killed were Captain David Dobson, 27, of the Army Air Corps, Royal Navy Lieutenant Commander Darren Chapman, 40, and Marine Paul Collins, 21, from Yeovilton, Somerset. All were part of the Joint Helicopter Command (JHC).

Speaking after the ceremony, Commodore Tony Johnstone-Burt, Deputy Commander of JHC, said: "They died doing their duty, they were all totally and selflessly committed to their task.

"They didn't die in vain. They were all exceptional individuals who have left a lasting legacy for those fortunate enough to know them. Their courage, commitment and dedication will live on as an example for future generations of aviators and personnel from all three Services.

"Meanwhile, our thoughts and prayers go out to their families and friends who are showing enormous courage and fortitude during this very difficult time."

Wing Commander Coxen, originally from Liverpool and married to Agnes, had served 23 years.

The bodies have been returned to the families and inquests are expected to be opened shortly.