The grief-stricken family of a soldier killed in Afghanistan made the emotional journey from Northern Ireland to receive his body yesterday.

Captain Mark Hale’s widow Brenda and two young daughters travelled from their home in Co Down to attend a private repatriation ceremony at RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire.

The 42-year-old officer had been serving in Helmand Province with the second battalion The Rifles when he was caught up in a double bomb attack last Thursday.

Cpt Hale and another Ballykinler-based soldier, Rifleman Daniel Wild (19), had been helping to carry a wounded comrade to safety when they were hit by a secondary device. All three died in the brutal attack.

Yesterday his daughters Tori and Alex were inconsolable as they watched a hearse carry their heroic father through the town of Wootton Bassett.

The girls were comforted by friends as they joined the hundreds of mourners lining the streets in respect for the three dead soldiers.

Originally from Bournemouth, Cpt Hale had settled with his Bangor-born wife Brenda in the village of Dromara. He was described as a true gentleman who was a legendary soldier.

Cpt Hale was also a devout Christian and had a keen interest in cycling, rugby and rowing, and along with his two daughters was a member of the Belfast Boat Club.

It is understood a private funeral service will be held at Ballykinler Army base before he is laid to rest. However, a post-mortem will be carried out by a coroner in Oxford before his body is returned to Northern Ireland.

Meanwhile the family of a former soldier from Co Londonderry were still waiting to hear when they will receive his body.

Stuart Murray (40), a former Royal Irish Regiment Colour Sergeant, died in an explosion in the western province of Herat on Saturday.