4:10pm Wednesday 19th November 2008
THE body of a Royal Marine from Bournemouth who was killed by a blast in Afghanistan was flown back to Britain on Wednesday.
Reconnaissance operator Neil Dunstan, 32, who was based at Plymouth’s Stonehouse Barracks, was due to marry his fiancee Kate Miller in the summer of 2010.
His body was flown back to RAF Lyneham along with the remains of 32-year-old Irish-born Robert McKibben who also suffered fatal injuries after their Jackal armoured truck was hit by an explosive device in southern Afghanistan.
They were on patrol with J Company of 42 Royal Marine Commando when tragedy struck.
Touching tributes have been paid to Marine Dunstan by his family and Ms Miller who described him as “the absolute love of my life.” She said: “To me and all my family he is the bravest hero we’ll ever know. He absolutely lived for the Marines and was so proud to have the green beret.
“That’s my comfort really; that I know that he died doing something he loved so much.
He died for his country and I think it needs a lot more recognition.”
Ms Miller revealed how she had received “a really wonderful farewell letter” from her fiance telling her to be strong.
She added: “I’m the proudest person in the world.”
Marine Dunstan’s father Keith Dunstan said: “Any man would be proud of a son like Neil and I consider myself privileged to be his father.”
Marine Dunstan’s family was among those who attend the repatriation service at RAF Lyneham.
Following a Hercules fly-past and noon ceremony, his remains were taken to the John Radcliffe hospital in Oxford where a post mortem will be held.
A Ministry of Defence spokesman told the Daily Echo that Marine Dunstan’s funeral arrangements would be “a private family affair.”
© Copyright 2001-2010 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.thisisdorset.net