Posted on 03/28/2003 10:48:49 AM PST by knighthawk
A memorial service has been held on board HMS Ark Royal for three British servicemen who died when two Navy helicopters crashed.
The accident happened on March 22 when two Royal Navy Sea King helicopters collided over the northern Arabian Gulf.
Six British servicemen died in the crash and today's memorial service on the Navy's flagship aircraft carrier was being held for three of the men whose bodies have been 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.
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.
The Ministry of Defence was not immediately giving out any details of the service.
It is thought that the men's bodies will be flown back to the UK this weekend.
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.
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