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| Funeral of RAF fire family held | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The funeral service for an RAF serviceman and his two children who died in a house fire at a military base in Cyprus has been held in Abertillery. | |
| Cpl Andy Greenough, 37, from Abertillery, Blaenau Gwent, died with his son Evan, five, and daughter Nia, two, at RAF Akrotiri on 17 March. | Cpl Andy Greenough, 37, from Abertillery, Blaenau Gwent, died with his son Evan, five, and daughter Nia, two, at RAF Akrotiri on 17 March. |
| An inquest, which was begun and adjourned in Newport on Tuesday, heard they died after inhaling smoke. | An inquest, which was begun and adjourned in Newport on Tuesday, heard they died after inhaling smoke. |
| An RAF guard of honour joined the service in St Michael's Church. | |
| Cpl Greenough's coffin was draped with the union jack and bore his cap and medals, while his children's coffin carried the Welsh flag. | |
| The service was conducted by the vicar of Abertillery, the Reverend Patrick Coleman, and the vicar of Dowlais, the Reverend Matthew Hill. | |
| Before the service, Mr Coleman said: "Those of us who have been involved in organising the service have organised it in a way that the family can fully participate and feel that they have made their farewells in the best way possible." | |
| Five-year-old Evan Greenough died with sister Nia | Five-year-old Evan Greenough died with sister Nia |
| Cpl Greenough was babysitting on the night the fire broke out and is believed to have spent the earlier part of the evening watching coverage of Wales beat England in rugby's Six Nations championship. | Cpl Greenough was babysitting on the night the fire broke out and is believed to have spent the earlier part of the evening watching coverage of Wales beat England in rugby's Six Nations championship. |
| His wife, Eirlys, had been on a night out with other RAF wives and was later comforted by family members who flew to the base near Limassol the following day. | His wife, Eirlys, had been on a night out with other RAF wives and was later comforted by family members who flew to the base near Limassol the following day. |
| An investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing. | An investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing. |
| Cpl Greenough's sister Leanne Connor said of her brother: "He was a lovely guy, genuine and friendly, who doted on his two children. He was a family man and they meant everything to him." | Cpl Greenough's sister Leanne Connor said of her brother: "He was a lovely guy, genuine and friendly, who doted on his two children. He was a family man and they meant everything to him." |
| A Ministry of Defence spokesman said Cpl Greenough had been a committed member of the RAF for 17 years and had been strongly recommended for promotion this year. | A Ministry of Defence spokesman said Cpl Greenough had been a committed member of the RAF for 17 years and had been strongly recommended for promotion this year. |
| He said: "His dedication and loyalty to his work were only surpassed by his love for his family and children." | He said: "His dedication and loyalty to his work were only surpassed by his love for his family and children." |
| A tribute during Wednesday's service was given by Padre Rog Hardman, who had been the padre in Cyprus. | |
| The funeral was followed by a cremation service in Cwmbran. |