Master Engineer Gary NicholsonLOVED ones of those who died in the Hercules crash in Iraq are expecting to hear today when the bodies of the victims will return home.

The Ministry of Defence is due to announce today when they will fly back to RAF Lyneham.

Photographs of two more servicemen who died have been released by the ministry.

Flt Lt Andrew Smith, 25, also known as 'Smudge' was awarded his pilot's wings in 2002 and joined the Hercules fleet on August 29, 2003.

He was flying on his first operational detachment when the plane came down last Sunday.

The MoD also released a photo of Master Engineer Gary Nicholson, 42. Known as Gary Nic to colleagues, he was a decorated war hero and had two children. He had served in the RAF for 23 years.

They were among 10 servicemen killed when the RAF Hercules, normally based at Lyneham, crashed 25 miles from Baghdad.

Flt Lt Smith, from Doncaster, and Hull-born Master Engineer Nichol-son were with 47 Squadron.

Photographs of the other eight were released last week.

British investigators have completed work at the crash site, but are unable to confirm what brought the aircraft down.

At the base, smudged by rain or tears and surrounded by flowers, is a note from a child to one of the 10 servicemen killed in the Hercules crash.

The note possibly to a father from a son rests on a bunch of fresh carnations outside RAF Lyneham's main gates.

It reads: "We will miss you so much, especially your tickles, helping us learn to swim and the great bike rides that you took us on."

It is a week and one day since the crash the biggest single loss of life to hit UK forces since military action began and the steady stream of floral tributes shows no sign of letting up.

This remains a village deep in mourning.

Yesterday was the turn of parishioners to pay tribute to the brave aircrew.

More than 100 people attended St Michael's church for the Sunday service.

The Rev Anthony Fletcher said the mood was mixed.

"Certain parts were quite sombre but other parts were very uplifting," he said. "We look forward in hope to the future."

At a press conference on Saturday, Group Captain Paul Oborn thanked those who had helped his personnel deal with the trauma.

"Lyneham has stretched its arms and pulled the squadron and station in," he said. "This tragedy has brought everyone even closer together.'"

Kevin Shoesmith

Anthony Osborne