Memorial service held for British servicemen

A MEMORIAL service was held on board HMS Ark Royal yesterday for three British servicemen who died when two Navy helicopters crashed.

The accident occurred on March 22 when two Royal Navy Sea King helicopters collided over the Arabian Gulf. Six British servicemen died in the crash and yesterday's memorial service on the Navy's flagship aircraft carrier was held for three of the men whose bodies were recovered.

The three men Lieutenants Tony King, 35 of Congresbury, Somerset, Philip Green, 31, and James Williams, 28 were from 849 Squadron based at the Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose, near Helston, Cornwall, England.

The three coffins, draped in the Ark Royal's ensign, were brought up to the flight deck, while a lone bugler sounded the Last Post.

Among the others who died were Lt Philip West, 32, of Budock Water, near Falmouth, Cornwall, and Lt Marc Lawrence, in his mid-20s, from Westgate, Kent. A US Navy officer also died in the collision.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has called for an immediate end to the war.