THE message on the wreath gave a simple message To Daddy. Missing you from head to toe. Poppy. This came from the seven-year-old daughter of Flt Sgt Mark Gibson who died after the Hercules from Lyneham he was travelling in crashed in Iraq in January.

A lone Hercules flew low over St Mary's Church in Lydiard Tregoze in tribute to Mark who left his wife, Sheila and Poppy.

A slow and sombre toll of bells began as the hearse arrived at the church.

Ministers from St Mary's and RAF Lyneham led the procession into the church which was full of medal-bedecked RAF uniforms.

The coffin, on the shoulders of his friends and colleagues, was draped with the Union Jack, and on top lay Mark's operational service medals and his hat.

As the coffin passed through the entrance the hat was removed.

Outside the church lay a wreath in the colours of the 47 Squadron flag, with the words "Gibbo, we'll remember you with a smile."

Loudspeakers outside the church relayed the service to those outside.

The Rev Pete Tollerson, of RAF Lyneham, told the mourners: "The tragedy of the loss of Gibbo and the rest of the crew and passengers is just that a tragedy of deep regret.

"We are all diminished by it."

He spoke of Mark's unique sense of humour, love for his family and music, and said he was willing to pay the ultimate price for what he believed in.

His friend Gareth Evans gave the eulogy. "We don't show nearly enough pride in our armed forces. This isn't about politics but about the men and women who choose to serve this country. We will remember him. How could we forget?" he said.

The mourners filed out of the church, accompanied by the strains of Is This The Way To Amarillo, chosen to reflect Mark's sense of humour and love of music.

Then there was silence. Slowly the hum of an aircraft started to build up and then the Hercules appeared and flew at only 1,000 feet over the church and gathered crowd.

Mark's flight commander, Squadron Leader Paul Taylor said: "He was an excellent load master, a super NCO, a very good husband and father, and a top bloke. He was at the centre of every party. Everywhere he went had music and fun."

North Wiltshire MP James Gray, said: "I have mixed emotions. It was a very sad occasion but I also feel pride in the service. "

Mark, 34, was an air loadmaster with 47 squadron based at RAF Lyneham. Originally from Wales, he lived in Sparcells with his family.

The crash near Baghdad, which claimed the lives of 10 servicemen, was the single largest loss of British life since military action in Iraq began.

Dave Andrew