THIS is the scene of contemplation as the family of Private Aaron McClure prepare for his body to be returned to the UK today.And the family has vowed that once they have said their goodbyes to the soldier who was killed in friendly fire in Afghanistan, that they will get to the truth of the circumstances surrounding his death.

THIS is the scene of contemplation as the family of Private Aaron McClure prepare for his body to be returned to the UK today.

And the family has vowed that once they have said their goodbyes to the soldier who was killed in friendly fire in Afghanistan, that they will get to the truth of the circumstances surrounding his death.

The 19-year-old popular soldier died last Thursday , along with two others from the 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment after being bombed by a US plane from RAF Lakenheath.

All three bodies will be flown home to RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire today and are due to land at around 2pm.

Pte McClure's uncle, Allan McClure , 38, of Roundwood Road, said all the family was feeling very tense.

He said: “It is very tense. Lorraine wanted us all to be around her at home the night before. It is going to be difficult.

“Only a certain number of people are allowed to go so it will be Lorraine, Karl, the three boys and Aaron's best friend, Gavin Baldwin, attending.

“Everyone else will be coming round to my house to watch it on the television because we want to see it all together.

“There are normally lots of people around here at the shrine at night but I think maybe people decided to stay away the night before his body was due back.”

He said that so many people had left flowers and been there for the family throughout their ordeal.

Mr McClure added: “We want to thank everyone for posting messages of support.

“It is so much to deal with and when the funeral is over we want to get to the truth.”

The bodies will be taken to the coroners in Oxfordshire where a post-mortem will be conducted.

Pte McClure had been patrolling an area north-west of Kajaki, Helmand Province, when a US F15 aircraft launched a bomb, which exploded, killing the three soldiers and wounding two others.

The other soldiers killed were Privates Robert Foster, 19, from Harlow, and John Thrumble, 21, from Chelmsford.

An online book of condolences has been set up in memory of Private Aaron McClure at www.eveningstar.co.uk. Alternatively, you can send an e-mail to starnews@eveningstar.co.uk, or call The Evening Star newsdesk on 01473 324788 or write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.