THE memorial bell rang out for the first time to mourn the repatriation of three servicemen yesterday.

Warrant Officer Class 2 Leonard Thomas, Guardsman Craig Roderick and Guardsman Apete Tuisovurua died in Afghanistan on Sunday.

They were shot and killed by a man dressed as an Afghan police officer.

As the cortege approached the memorial garden on the edge of Carterton from RAF Brize Norton the £30,000 bell, paid for by donations, began to toll.

It was backed by cries of sorrow from the 400-strong crowd.

The family and friends of Gdm Tuisovurua, 28, sang traditional Fijian hymns throughout the ceremony.

Gdm Tuisovurua, of 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, was just two weeks from his 29th birthday when he was killed in Helmand province.

His father and younger brother travelled from Fiji to be at the repatriation and his older brother took compassionate leave from the army in Ireland.

His grandfather, Naibuka Qarau, 70, of London, said: “My grandson is always quiet, but is a person that loves life.

“He is always smiling, patient and is very helpful to people.”

Mr Qarau, who himself served in the UK forces for 30 years, sponsored his grandson to come to the UK and join the armed forces.

He said: “He wanted to join because his older brother was already in the forces, and he loved it. He was very proud to serve Queen and country.

“The Fijians are seafarers in days of old and maybe that is still in the young people’s blood – wanting to go places.”

He added: “It is a day of mourning but we have not lost him really. We have gained a son in heaven.

“I remember that I left him the day before he went to Afghanistan and he said, ‘granddad I will not be long and I will be back here soon’.

“I did not know that he would be coming back in a box.”

It was WO2 Thomas’s last tour of duty when the 44-year-old, of the Royal Corps of Signals, was killed.

Major Matthew Longcake, who had known him for 10 years, said: “He was a great guy – committed, enthusiastic and kept himself to the highest standards.

“His big contribution to the unit was developing the young soldiers and those underneath him to bring on their skills.”

Maj Longcake, of 37 Signal Regiment, said he would always remember WO2 Thomas making him crawl through long, wet grass carrying full kit in the Welsh countryside.

He added: “It was hugely important for me to come and take part today.”

Mike Lewis, a relative of Gdm Roderick, said he had last seen the 22-year-old, of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, at a family party just over two weeks ago.

The 76-year-old, of Chippenham in Wiltshire, said: “I saw him there and he had a wonderful smile. He was in good spirits.”

The memorial bell was the brainchild of Lee Mackie, whose son Royal Marine Jason Mackie was killed in Afghanistan in 2009.

She said: “It has been my greatest wish this bell would never have to toll.

“I just hope it aided a little bit, but I know it is not going to help the families.”