Family Members Receive Bodies of Loved Ones Killed in Combat

The bodies of two soldiers who were recently killed in Afghanistan were returned to Canada on Wednesday.

Family members of Master Cpl. Josh Roberts and Master Cpl. Erin Doyle joined Gov. Gen. Michaëlle Jean, Chief of Defence Staff Walter Natynczyk and Defence Minister Peter MacKay as the caskets arrived at Canadian Forces Base Trenton in eastern Ontario.

Military pallbearers slowly marched the flag-draped caskets to awaiting hearses.

Doyle, 32, was killed early Monday when insurgents attacked an outpost in the Panjwaii district of the province of Kandahar. Doyle, who grew up in Kamloops, B.C., was a member of the Edmonton-based 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry.

Roberts was killed Saturday during an operation in the neighbouring Zhari district. The Saskatoon native was a member of the 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry and was based in Shilo, Man.

An investigation into his death is underway as it's believed Roberts might have been accidentally shot by a passing convoy of private security guards.

Ninety Canadian soldiers have died in Afghanistan since the mission began in 2002.