From operations in Afghanistan, the repatriation of:
Rifleman PHILLIP ALLEN 2nd Batt. The Rifles
Rifleman SAMUEL BASSETT 7th Batt. The Rifles
Service veterans and members of the public turned out at the following locations to pay their respects as the cortege made its way from RAF Lyneham at 14:26 to the JohnRadcliffeHospital, Oxford:
Wootton Bassett - Town centre (14:45)
There were 16 standards on parade (details unavailable).
In what has now become ‘normal’ in Wootton Bassett, there was a very large turnout from both the military and local community.
Comment: It is a hard, if not impossible task to write up an accurate account, even a brief one, about the events at WB for inclusion in this brief report as I would need the feedback from an independent roving reporter on the ground there. However, there are certain groups of individuals who attend most if not all of these repatriation parades and, as I am made aware of them I will try to include them.
The RBL Riders (those of you who were at the fund-raising event at the College Farm will remember them as the ‘Hairy Bikers’) are one such group who attend every repatriation, today there were 14 bikes (inc. 1 x Trike) with 21 RBLR members plus 7 friends and family who turned out to pay their respects.
Gable Cross Police Station - On the A420 just east of the junction with the A419 (15:10)
There were three standard bearers on parade:
- Royal Marines Association – Swindon Branch
- Royal Air Force Association
- Royal Engineers
Plus – 15 x veterans in berets, 10 uniformed personnel from the Fire and Rescue Service with their fire appliance, 80 (+) Police and staff from the headquarters nearby as well as over 40 members of the public.
United Kingdom Defence Academy - At the Watchfield roundabout on the A420 (15:17)
There were two standard bearers on parade:
- Royal Marines Association – Guildford Branch
- Royal Marines Association – Poole Branch
There were also a further 13 RM veterans, plus 1 from the RAF and another from the RAF Regt, 4 from the Army (1 x RA, 1 x RE, 1 x Royal Berks, 1 x RAOC(OFP)) and one uniformed member of the Salvation Army.
The parade was taken by WO John Houghton (RAF Regiment) with The Rifles being represented by 7 Majors of that regiment: Majors Sawyer, Hellier, Cousen, Child, Bates, Rowley and A N Other.
As the cortege dutifully slowed down as it approached the dipped standards, the traffic on the Swindon bound carriageway had come to a halt with several drivers leaving their vehicles to bow their heads.
Other uniformed personnel included 1 x Cdr RFA, 1 x Maj RA, 1 x Maj AGC, 2 x Wing Cdrs RAF and a Midshipman RN who were joined by a further 31 members of the public.
Folly Hill lay-by - East of Faringdon on the A420, just north of the A417 junction (15:20).
There were six standard bearers on parade:
- Royal British Legion – Beedon Branch
- Royal British Legion – Faringdon Branch
- Royal British Legion – Shrivenham Branch
- Royal British Legion – Wantage Branch
- Wantage Royal Naval Veterans Association
- Oxfordshire Women’s Institute
- and the Union Flag
There were 80 + persons present, including the Chairman of the Vale of White Horse District Council (Alison Rooke), the Chairman of the Vale Branches of the R.B.L (David Drew)., together with the new local Police Sgt. (Steve Clark). Many Veterans were present, from all the main Services.
John RadcliffeHospital - St Anthony of PaduaParishChurch, Headley Way. (16:20)
There were eleven standards on parade:
- Royal British Legion – Chalgrove Branch
- Royal British Legion – Headington Branch
- Royal British Legion – Henley Branch
- Royal British Legion – Islip Branch
- Royal British Legion – Kidlington Branch
- Royal British Legion – Oxford Branch
- Royal British Legion – Wheatly Branch
- Royal Naval Association – Oxford Branch
- Royal Marines Association – Bicester Branch
- Royal Marines Association – Windsor Branch
- Coldstream Guards Association
plus the banner of the Royal Dragoon Guards
Plus - over 61 veterans in berets from all services and over 55 members of the public (including 2 x Ghurka’s). Also in attendance were a senior officer from the Thames Valley Police, the Lady Mayoress of Oxford and Mr A. Murry MP.
Yet again the warm refreshments were provided by the Police.
-- Edited by Administrator on Thursday 19th of November 2009 08:54:03 AM
