THE BODY of Arbroath-based Royal Marine Corporal Liam Elms, who died in Afghanistan on December 31, has been flown back to the UK.

Corporal Elms (26), who was originally from Wigan, was brought home with fellow victim and Sergeant Chris Reed of The Rifles.

Corporal “Elmsy” Elms of Zulu Company, 45 Commando, was killed in action by an explosion in southern Helmand. The company was conducting a local area patrol alongside Afghan National Army troops when the incident occurred.

Sergeant Reed (25), from Plymouth, a Territorial Army soldier with 6th Battalion, The Rifles, died in action in the Garmsir District of Helmand Province on January 1. He was killed by an improvised explosive device whilst conducting a vehicle patrol in the desert of Helmand.

The bodies of Corporal Elms and Sergeant Reed were carried from an RAF C-17 aircraft at RAF Lyneham, following a flypast.