ROYAL Marine Joseph Windall from Hazlemere, Bucks, has been named as one of the servicemen to die in the Nimrod MR2 aircraft crash in Afghanistan on Saturday.

The 22-year-old, from Lowfield Way, died along with 12 RAF men and a Paratrooper when their spy plane went down near Kandahar.

Joseph, or Joe as he was known, had been serving for three years, and had been based in Poole.

He grew up in New Road, Tylers Green and went to Tylers Green First and Middle schools and later Holmer Green Upper School. Two years ago his mum Phillippa moved to Hazlemere near High Wycombe and his dad Joseph moved to Marlow.

He also leaves behind his sister, Marie.

The crash was the British forces' worst single death toll in action since the Falklands War.

Its cause is still a mystery. The Ministry of Defence has launched a full investigation into what brought down the spy plane, although claims by Taliban fighters that they shot it down have been rubbished.

The servicemen were carrying out reconnaissance work to support Operation Medusa, a push by NATO and Afghan army forces to clear the area of Taliban fighters. Nimrod spy planes can take pictures from 30,000 feet in the air.

"At this stage all the indications are that this was a terrible accident and not the result of hostile action," defence secretary Des Browne said earlier.

David Gilbert, headteacher of Holmer Green Upper School, said it was always Joe's ambition to join the Royal Marines. "He was very proud to have been able to do so," he said about his school's former pupil.

"Members of staff remember him as real character, a lovely-natured boy and a role model for younger pupils.

"He had a real love of art and drama and often took a leading role in school productions. Joe was a prefect and a member of the school basketball team.

"His death is a tragedy."