Boy, 3, leaves flowers for father as toll climbs to 14

The father of a three-year-old boy is among 14 Britons to be killed in the war against Iraq so far.

Marine Commander Ian Seymour, 28, from Poole, Dorset, was one of eight Royal Marines who died when an American CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter crashed in the Kuwaiti desert in the early hours of Friday.

His mother-in-law, Christine Glanville, described how her daughter, Lianne, 27, had broken the news: "She just said to me, 'Mum, you know that helicopter that went down, it was my Ian'."

Among the floral tributes laid at the Stonehouse headquarters in Plymouth was one from Mr Seymour's son, Beck. The note, pinned to a picture of the boy and his mother, read: "For my Daddy. I love you loads. so does Mummy. We will miss you always. God bless you. Lots of love from your Baby Bear and Tinkerbell."

Also killed was Llywelyn Evans, 20, from Llandudno, north Wales, who was taking part in the assault by 29 Commando Royal Artillery on the Al-Faw peninsula.

The town's rugby team, where the Lance Corporal was a regular, cancelled its match this weekend as a mark of respect. Howie Roberts, the club's president, said: "He was a nice lad, quiet and unassuming but also tough. When he came home on leave, he would be in the first team."

Another marine was named locally as "Sonic" Hedenskog, 25, a South African-born member of 3 Commando.

Claire Morley, whose fiancé, Craig Garnett, is also a marine, said Mr Hedenskog had been due to be best man at their wedding this summer. As she placed flowers at the Plymouth barracks, Ms Morley said: "I felt it was right to come down and put some flowers down on behalf of his family. Craig was so sad, he was in tears."

The family of a fourth man killed, Mark Stratford, said that he had "had a wonderful life" in the Marines.

"The Royal Marines were Mark's life and he was dedicated to the regiment," the family said. "He served in many areas of the world and we know that he thoroughly enjoyed his 20 years with the corps.

"Mark was a professional soldier doing a professional job and was fully supported by his family and friends. He will be greatly missed by all."

The Ministry of Defence said yesterday that it was waiting to confirm the identities of the personnel killed in two helicopter crashes and the shooting down of a Tornado, based at RAF Marham in Norfolk, by an American Patriot missile. Both of its crew members were confirmed dead last night.

Six servicemen died when two Royal Navy Sea Kings, based at RNAS Culdrose in Cornwall, collided early on Saturday. None of them have been named.