Lance Bombardier Matthew Hatton 40 Regiment, Royal Artillery
The cortege left RAF Lynham at approximately 14:04. Service veterans and members of the public turned out at the following locations to pay their respects as the cortege made its way to the JohnRadcliffeHospital, Oxford:
Wootton Bassett - Town centre
There were about 20 standard bearers on parade (details unavailable).
Probably because of the time of year (block service leave period) there were not too many uniformed personnel in evidence but the numbers of civilians was noticeably larger. About 30 members of the ‘British Legion Bikers’ were also ‘on parade’.
Gable Cross Police Station - On the A420 just east of the junction with the A419
Two standard bearers were on parade:
Royal Marines Association
Royal Engineers Association
Plus – 10 veterans (3 x RAF, 2 x Lancers, 2 X RASC and 3 x British Legion), 30 civilians, 80 x Police and staff and 1 x Fire engine with 10 personnel. Lt Col ILIC MBE, QGM, The Rifles, visited the location before moving on to take the parade at the Watchfield roundabout (see below).
United Kingdom Defence Academy - At the Watchfield roundabout on the A420.
Four standard bearers were on parade:
Royal Marines Association – Guildford Branch
Royal Marines Association – Poole Branch
Royal Dragoon Guards Association
The Parachute Regiment – Gloucester Branch
In keeping with our ‘custom’ of trying to honour the fallen with one of their own, the parade was taken by Lt Col Nick ILIC MBE,QGM,The Rifles, who attended with his immediate family.
Plus – 15 x Royal Marines veterans, 9 x Army veterans (including four ‘red berets’ from Cheltenham) and 2 x RAF Cadets. Despite the college being on leave the establishment was represented by a Cdr RN and several other DPM’d service personnel as well as numerous civilian staff. Local families brought the numbers up to over 80.
Although not overtly conspicuous in the line up by the wearing of their medals and berets, The Rifles were represented by a contingent of former officers in their distinctive ‘Rifle green’ blazers.
Even now it’s the little things you notice . . . as the cortege approached and we were called up to attention, a single member of the public on the opposite side of the road who had respectfully stopped his car then made the extra effort of getting out of his vehicle to bow his head as the cortege passed. Having missed only a few repatriations since I started attending in January, I hadn’t seen anyone do that that before.
Folly Lay-by - On the A420 just north of the A417 junction.
Five standard bearers were on parade:
Royal British Legion – Beedon Branch
Royal British Legion – Farringdon Branch
Royal British Legion – Shrivenham Branch
Royal British Legion – Wantage Branch
Royal Naval Association – Wantage Branch
Plus - 100 supporters, including members of the Town Council, who took up position on both sides of the A420.
John RadcliffeHospital - St Anthony of PaduaParishChurch, Headley Way.
Nine standard bearers were on parade (details unavailable).
Plus – 68 veterans and approximately 50 members of the public.
