Bristol soldier Lt Andrew Chesterman repatriated to UK

Families of the three soldiers stood together as the cortege passed Carterton's memorial garden

The body of a Bristol soldier who was shot by insurgents in Afghanistan has been repatriated to the UK.

Lt Andrew Chesterman, 26, of 3rd Battalion The Rifles, died on 9 August. He was from Stoke Bishop in the city.

The bodies of two other servicemen were also flown to RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire.

Private ceremonies for their families were held at the base before the bodies were taken to a local hospital.

'Fine young man'

Lt Chesterman was commanding a patrol in the Nad-e Ali district in Helmand Province when the lead vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb.

As he moved forward, insurgents opened fire and shot him.

Lt Chesterman leaves behind his father Paul and two sisters

Although he was taken to hospital in Camp Bastion, he could not be saved.

His father Paul said the family had lost a "fine young man".

Mr Chesterman added that the family, including the soldier's sisters Anna and Olivia, were "immensely proud" of him.

The two other repatriated soldiers are L/Cpl Matthew Smith of the Corps of Royal Engineers, from Aldershot, Hampshire, and Guardsman Jamie Shadrake, of the Reconnaissance Platoon, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards.

Families of the three soldiers, supported by more than 100 friends and well-wishers, stood together as the cortege of three hearses moved past Carterton's memorial garden on its way to Oxford.

As it passed by, 26 Royal British Legion standard-bearers lowered their flags.