AS the hearse carrying Senior Aircraftman Ryan Tomlin and more than 100 floral tributes drove away, a family and community stood behind broken and devastated.

More than 80 family members and school friends mourned the loss of the 21-year-old hero from 2 Squadron Royal Air Force Regiment.

And 600 residents from Carterton and Brize Norton, many of whom have family in the air force, joined them yesterday to pay tribute to one of their own.

SAC Tomlin, of Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, was killed by small arms fire in Helmand province, Afghanistan, last Monday.

He was repatriated yesterday and some 40 members of the air force, from his base RAF Honington and from RAF Brize Norton, attended the ceremony.

As the cortege carrying his body stopped at the memorial garden, on the edge of Carterton, his loved ones placed red and white roses on his hearse.

Then, as the vehicle drove away, an applause of respect broke out and his family cried out “we love you Ryan” and “goodbye Ryan”.

His cousin, Louise Morrison, 29, said: “We grew up together like brother and sister.

“Ryan would do anything for anyone, and he was so funny. I feel numb today, everyone has just crumbled.

“It was horrible knowing he was going out for his second tour but it was what he wanted to do and he was never scared.”

She said the family had received a letter from SAC Tomlin, which he had written in the event of his death. She added: “He said please do not be sad because if I could live life again I would not change anything.”

Cousin Ross Mitchell, 21, said: “I will remember him as someone who was always happy, who lived life to the full and who enjoyed life.”

Senior members of Hemel Hempstead Royal British Legion (RBL) also attended the ceremony and joined Oxfordshire RBL members in lowering a standard in respect.

After the cortege left the memorial garden, it made its way to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford for a post-mortem examination.

Hundreds of people turned out to pay their respects at the final turn on Headley Way.