Farewell to the finest

Investigations are continuing into why the C130k, an aircraft renowned for its reliability, came down in clear conditions 25 miles north west of Baghdad on Sunday, killing all nine RAF personnel and one soldier on board.

Dozens of floral tributes have been laid outside the gates of RAF Lyneham, where eight of the men were based, and prayers have been said for their grief-stricken families, including the 11 children they leave behind.

Those based at Lyneham who died were the captain, Flt Lt David Stead, 35; co-pilot Flt Lt Andrew Smith, 25; navigator Flt Lt Paul Pardoel, 35; air loadmaster Flt Sgt Mark Gibson, 34; engineer Gary Nicholson, 42; ground engineers Chf Tech Richard Brown, 40; and Sgt Robert O'Connor, 38; and survival equipment fitter Cpl David Williams, 37.

The other two killed were Sqn Ldr Patrick Marshall, 39, a staff officer serving with Strike Command at High Wycombe, and Lce Cpl Steven Jones, 25, from Fareham who was serving with the Royal Signals.

The Queen expressed her deepest sympathy to the families, saying she was saddened by the tragedy.

The Princess Royal, who is Honorary Air Commodore at the RAF base, paid a private hour-long visit to Lyneham on Tuesday.

There she met members of 47 Squadron, which lost five of its number in the crash, and members of the Lyneham engineering wing, which lost three. She also spoke to staff assisting the bereaved families.

RAF Lyneham section commander Paul Oborn paid tribute to the men, saying: "They will be sorely missed."

The group captain said the crew, support personnel and passengers on board the Hercules were playing a vital role, helping to deliver democracy to the Iraqis.

He said the team worked closely, often in demanding conditions.

"This team was one of our best," he said. "Team spirit, self discipline, professionalism in the air and a sense of humour were characteristics of this crew and we could all learn a lot from them."

It is not yet known when the men's bodies will be flown back, although it has emerged they will return to RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire before being brought home to Lyneham.

Former Hercules crewman Andy Humm said the tight-knit community began to realise something terrible had happened when the gates to the airbase were symbolically shut on Sunday afternoon.

"Word went round and most people found out from watching the news," he said. "The mood has been deep and sombre here ever since."

Cathy Stanford, head of Lyneham Infant School, and Ian Tucker, head of Lyneham Junior School, where 70 per cent of pupils and a significant number of staff come from RAF families, issued a joint statement.

It said: "At this extremely difficult time our thoughts are with the families of all those affected by this tragedy. All of us at Lyneham Infant and Junior School will do everything we possibly can to provide a caring environment and we will offer support to the whole community in whatever way."

Mrs Stanford said there was a feeling of "deep unrest" at the schools.

She said the schools were well prepared to deal with tragedies involving the base. "We've been prepared for this for a long time but it doesn't make it any easier," she said.

"Our staff have had special training to deal with situations like this. Both schools have set rooms aside with coffee and biscuits for anyone who needs that sort of support and we are trying to keep our routines as solid as possible for the children."

Meanwhile, tributes have been paid to the men who died. Master Engineer Gary Nicholson, 42, of Griffiths Close, Stratton St Margaret, Swindon, leaves two sons, Adrian and Stuart, and his girlfriend, Rachel.

Known as Gary Nic, he joined the RAF in 1982 and saw action in many areas, including the 1991 Iraq war and the Balkans.

He was described as a giant of a man with a giant of a heart who was devoted to his sons. Friends commented that with his ebullient nature you would often hear him before you would see him.

Neighbour Debbie Harris, 49, said: "He was so popular the whole neighbourhood is feeling this. He was happy all the time, easy going and would do anything for anyone.

"I had to take a day off work when I heard what happened. I just think he died needlessly and I keep questioning why it happened because he was one of the best."

Among the floral tributes left outside the base was one with a card bearing a special message for the father-of-two. It read: "For Gary Nicholson, the sunniest person we ever knew."

Flight Sergeant Mark 'Gibbo' Gibson, 34, of Gairlock Close, Sparcells, Swindon, was devoted to his wife Sheila and seven-year-old daughter Poppy.

His cousin Clare Bateman-Jones, a nurse from Cardiff, said the whole family was devastated.

"Mark loved being in the RAF and couldn't wait to join when he left school at 18," she said. "He was always such a happy guy, easy to be around, very laid back. It's terribly sad."

He joined the RAF in 1987, following in the footsteps of his father Sam, and was a golf fanatic who was described as one of life's entertainers.

He had two younger brothers Neil, also a load master in the RAF, and Paul.

Colleagues of Corporal David Williams, 37, from Chippenham, described him as "a happy-go-lucky character, with a mischievous personality and a dry sense of humour; forever joking, making light of any conditions in any location".

Married with three young children, Cpl Williams was a devoted husband and proud father.

Chief Technician Richard Brown, 40, known as Richie, "was a keen and active sportsman who was always extremely enthusiastic and committed in everything he did".

He worked ceaselessly for charity and in 1998 was awarded an 11 Group Commendation for his charity work.

Former Lyneham engineer Andy Humm knew Chf Tech Brown and Sergeant Robert O'Connor, a 38-year-old single man who also died in the crash.

Mr Humm said: "Both guys were real characters. They were always good to be around and were always cheerful.

"They will be sorely missed."

The aircraft was captained by Flight Lieutenant David Stead, 35, a married pilot serving with 47 Squadron, who a neighbour of his in Lyneham said had recently had a second child.

A close friend described Flt Lt Stead as someone who lived for his family and had a passion for flying. Flt Lt Tony Hambleton said: "David lived for his family, enjoyed life and his passion for flying shone through always.

"He had a keen sense of humour and was a great wit. He was always the first to spot the funny side of any situation. His smile lit up any room he entered."

The plane's navigator, Flt Lt Paul Pardoel, leaves a widow Kellie and their three children, Jordan, seven, Jackson, five, and India, two.

An Australian, he retired from the RAAF in 2002 and joined the RAF.

He was described as fun-loving, adventurous and with a great sense of humour but also very dedicated.

He was a very well liked and active member of the parents' association at St Joseph's Catholic School, Malmesbury, where his children went to school.

The plane's co-pilot, Flight Lieutenant Andrew Smith, was a 25-year-old single man who always said he'd never marry or have children while in the RAF, the service that he loved.

His younger brother Gary, 24, said from the family home in Cleethorpes: "He was a really funny guy, very loud, and fearless. He loved abseiling and bungee jumping he was a real daredevil.

"He was just so proud to have been in the RAF. It was what he always wanted to do. It is all just such a shock."

Relatives of Acting Lance Corporal Steven Jones, 25, the only soldier on board, said he would "forever be in the hearts of those that knew him best".

In a statement the family said: "Steve worked hard, played hard and lived life to the full whether it be skydiving or bungee jumping.

Squadron Leader Patrick Marshall, 39, who was a divorced staff officer who served with Headquarters Strike Command in High Wycombe, was also among the victims.