OXFORDSHIRE will make Britain proud when it honours six servicemen killed in Afghanistan tomorrow, the county’s Royal British Legion said.

Branch chairman Jim Lewendon said: “I’m sure Oxfordshire will do the country proud. We will show our respect and I hope all the support will help the family. I feel for them all the time, and I think most people do.”

He said he expected “a lot more” to turn out because of huge national interest shown over the deaths.

The servicemen were patrolling the border of Helmand province when their Warrior armoured vehicle hit an improved explosive device on March 6.

The men killed were Sgt Nigel Coupe, from 1st Battalion The Duke of Lancaster Regiment, and Cpl Jake Hartley, Pte Anthony Frampton, Pte Christopher Kershaw, Pte Daniel Wade and Pte Daniel Wilford, all from 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment.

The plane carrying the fallen servicemen will land at RAF Brize Norton at about 1.30pm. The cortege will pass the memorial garden in Norton Way, Brize Norton, between 4.30pm and 5pm and arrive at Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital at about 6pm.

For up-to-date information, visit oxfordmail.co.uk