Proud family unveil Iraq memorial

A funeral for the servicewoman was held at Canterbury Cathedral in July

The husband of the first British servicewoman killed on duty in the Iraq conflict wiped away tears as a memorial was unveiled to commemorate her life.

Flt Lt Sarah-Jayne Mulvihill, 32, from Kent, and four male colleagues died when their helicopter came down in May.

Her husband, Lee, 37, stood alone in front of the picture of his late wife as it was unveiled by her brother at Kent International Airport at Manston.

Flt Lt Mulvihill's parents Susan and Terry Poole also attended the ceremony.

The last-known RAF photograph of their daughter has been transferred to canvas and framed.

She's a symbol of the best in life and the best in people Councillor Alan Marsh

Jason Poole, 34, from Dover, unveiled the memorial in the passenger lounge of the airport on Sunday.

"The whole family is very proud this tribute has been made to Sarah," he said. "We're proud of what she achieved in her life."

The unveiling was attended by representatives from Flt Lt Mulvihill's base at RAF Benson in Oxfordshire, Thanet MP Roger Gale and Kent County Councillor Alan Marsh.

"Today is another chapter in Sarah's life that will bring a smile to everybody's faces," said her commanding officer Group Captain Duncan Welham.

"She always wanted to get the last word in life."

Chaplain, Padre Eleanor Rance, said the picture would be viewed by hundreds of people travelling through the airport every day.

"I hope when they do they'll stop and wonder who this beautiful young woman is," she said.

Speaking after the unveiling, Mrs Poole, 53, from Broomfield, said: "It's going to be difficult this Christmas but we'll get through.

"We're going out for the day because we can't face being at home."

Flt Lt Mulvihill was an operations support officer acting as adjutant when she was killed in Basra on 6 May.

"The spirit of Sarah will be visited upon everybody who goes through this terminal," said Mr Marsh.

"She's a symbol of the best in life and the best in people."