15859/10GAZETTE & HERALD: MOURNERS gathered to pay tribute to RAF Lyneham hero Chief Technician Richard Brown in the church where he was due to be married.

More than 250 people were at the memorial service for the 40-year-old who was one of ten servicemen killed when a Hercules plane crashed in Iraq on January 30.

Mourners at St Mary the Virgin in Tetbury on Monday remembered Chief Technician Brown as a loving father, partner and proud member of the RAF.

He is survived by a ten-year-old daughter from a previous marriage.

The Rev John Wright led a private memorial service that included a poem read by his fiancee Sharyn Jones, and tributes from his mother Lyn Kelly and colleague Graham Scott.

Earlier his family were at a cremation service at Westerleigh Crematorium, near Bristol.

During the Tetbury service the hymns Abide with Me and Lord of All Hopefulness were sung. Later mourners stood outside in silent reflection as an RAF Hercules flew past in tribute and a bugler sounded Last Post.

In his sermon Mr Wright told how Chief Technician Brown was due to marry Miss Jones at St Mary's Church in July.

He paid tribute to the airman's passion and pride in belonging to the RAF.

Mr Wright said: "There was, however, life outside the RAF and in recent times that took place here in Tetbury and with Sharyn. They quickly belonged to Tetbury and I am glad the service is here at St Mary's, the church they attended at times.

"More than that, we in Tetbury are proud of him, of what he did and was prepared to do. It is so easy to take it for granted. Today reminds us of the price that must sometimes be paid by loyal, brave and honest men and women."

He added: "Each of you will have your own memories of Richie and yet I think there will be a common thread running through them.

"He was as he was, the same with everyone. He had the gift of taking each moment as it came, living it fully, as he had the virtue of telling everything straight."

After the service, Mr Wright said Chief Technician Brown was a man people could easily warm to because he spoke the truth. He said although people were very upset during the service there was a strong sense of celebrating the airman's life.

The vicar said: "The congregation remembered the man as a good guy. I got to know Mr Brown and his fiance, and I would rather have done their wedding.''

Standing outside local people watched solemnly as the mourners left the church. Former RAF serviceman Brian Edge, who runs a teashop in the town, said he was pleased to see a big turnout for Chief Technician Brown.

Mr Edge said: "It brought tears to my eyes when the Hercules plane flew over. I deeply sympathise with Mr Brown's family, it is a sad occasion. Richard was a part of the town."