THE family of Sergeant Barry Weston said they were “overwhelmed” by the show of public support at yesterday’s repatriation.

Sgt Weston, of 42 Royal Marine Commandos, was killed by a homemade bomb in Afghanistan on August 30.

In a statement, his family said: “We were overwhelmed with the amount of people that turned out. We would like to thank everyone who paid their respects.”

Joanne Goddard, 42, a childhood friend of Sgt Weston, said: “It was awful watching the cortege go past. It sent a shiver down my spine.

“But it was fantastic to see so many people out. It shows the support for a local hero, and it really helped.”

Family friend Fran Perrin, 60, from Sonning Common, said: “He deserved the turn out.

“He was an outgoing guy, always full of life and always with a big smile on his face.”