THE body of a father-to-be who was killed just weeks before his first child was due has been repatriated back to the UK.
Company Sergeant Major Colin Beckett, 36, known as ‘Tom’ to his comrades, died from the blast of an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan.
Warrant Officer Class 2 Beckett, from Colchester-based 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment, was trying to provide cover for fellow members of a patrol in Helmand when he was struck on Saturday.
His body was flown into RAF Lyneham today, along with Ranger David Dalzell, 20, who served with A Company 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment, before the cortege was saluted through the streets of Wootton Bassett.
See the full story in tomorrow's Gazette.
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