The repatriation of two servicemen who died in Afghanistan last week will take place on Thursday.

Sergeant Jonathan Kups, 38, from the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, died at Camp Bastion on Friday.

Captain James Townley, 29, from 28 Engineer Regiment, Corps of Royal Engineers, died at Forward Operating Base Shawqat on the same day.

Neither deaths are thought to be the result of hostile action, the Ministry of Defence said.

The plane carrying their bodies will land at RAF Brize Norton at 1.30pm and the cortege will pass the memorial garden on the edge of Carterton at about 4pm.

It will arrive at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford at about 5pm.

  • A Royal Marine Commando has died in Afghanistan.

The Ministry of Defence said his death yesterday is believed to have been from natural causes.

The serviceman’s family have been informed.

The MOD said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this very difficult time.”

It is not thought that he will be repatriated on Thursday.

Updates and information about repatriations is posted here