In pictures: Repatriation ceremony

1 of 9 The coffins landed at RAF Brize Norton after a 12-hour flight from Basra

2 of 9 The Band of the Coldstream Guards played Beethoven's Funeral March as the repatriation ceremony began

3 of 9 Among those present were Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon and the Duchess of Gloucester

4 of 9 The soldiers were military policemen from 156 Provost Company, attached to 16 Air Assault Brigade

5 of 9 The coffins were carried from the aircraft by pall-bearers from the Royal Military Police

6 of 9 Comrades remembered the six British soldiers who were killed in a gun battle in southern Iraq

7 of 9 Families of the six attended the ceremony, where prayers were said

8 of 9 The deaths are still being investigated by the Ministry of Defence

9 of 9 The six men were described by their commanding officer as "highly professional soldiers and policemen"