Soldier's body flown back to UK

Sjt Reed planned to marry on his return to the UK

The body of a TA soldier from Plymouth who was killed in Afghanistan on New Year's Day has been flown to the UK.

Serjeant Christopher Reed, of the Exeter-based 6th Battalion The Rifles, was repatriated to RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire.

The 25-year-old was killed by an improvised explosive device during a routine patrol in Helmand province.

He was the 138th member of British forces to die in Afghanistan since the start of operations in October 2001.

Sjt Reed's body was flown back alongside that of Royal Marine Corporal Liam Elms, who was killed in an explosion in Helmand province on New Year's Eve.

Wedding planned

Corporal Elms, 26, from Wigan, Greater Manchester, died in the Sangin district of Helmand province.

He was in the 45 Commando Royal Marines which is part of Plymouth-based 3 Commando Brigade.

Following Sjt Reed's death it was revealed that the part-time soldier, who built luxury yachts for Babcock Marine at Devonport Dockyard, had proposed to his girlfriend, Heather Crosby, the day before he flew out to Afghanistan.

The couple had been planning to marry in September and Sjt Reed had been due to return to the UK on leave later this month.