From operations in Afghanistan, the repatriation of:
Corporal Loren Marlton-Thomas Royal Engineers
Rifleman Andrew Fentiman 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 to the JohnRadcliffeHospital, Oxford:
Wootton Bassett - Town centre
1. The first item is from Duncan Wostenholm of the Starfish Café, Wootton Bassett:
‘ Approximately 1500 residents and visitors lined the High Street in Wootton Bassett.
Dignitaries included: Mr James Gray (MP for North Wiltshire) and Cllr Steve Bucknell (Mayor of Wootton Bassett) accompanied by the Mayoress Alison Bucknell.
Several officers in uniform: Brigadier Greg Smith (Deputy Colonel Commandant, The Rifles); Brigadier Miles Wade (Commander 145 South Brigade, The Rifles); plus 1 x Colonel, 2 x Majors, 1 x Captain (The Rifles); 1 x Major (Royal Signals) and 1 x Flight Lieutenant (RAF).
Superintendent Ian Maidment representing Wiltshire Constabulary.
63 uniformed military personnel from various regiments but predominantly The Rifles and Royal Engineers with 2 Royal Marines and 3 RAF personnel.
13 RMA veterans in berets and 49 other veterans in berets (Army and RAF) various cap badges including 1 French Foreign Legion.
14 RBL bikes + 1 trike with 19 'hairy' bikers
22 Standards were paraded:
Aden Veterans Association - Gloucester Branch RBL - Merthyr Tydfyll Branch RBL - Swindon Branch RBL - Hungerford Branch RBL - Oakington & Westwick Branch RBL - Histon & Impington Branch Royal Regiment of Wales Association Light Infantry Association - Bath Branch Korean Veterans Association - Swindon Branch Royal Berkshire Regiment Association - Windsor Branch Somerset Light Infantry Association - Bath Branch Old Comrades Association - Dorsetshire Regiment Association - Bath Branch Royal Signals Association - Cambridge Branch Air Training Corps - 2524 Sqn, Oakington Royal Observer Corps Association - 12 Group Royal Air Force Association - Calne Branch Royal Engineers Association - Swindon Branch Royal Engineers Association - Bath & West Wilts Branch Royal Engineers Association Chatham Branch plus one other (details not recorded).’
2. The second item is from Steve Blundell of the RBL Riders:
Today the sun shone briefly as the cortege passed through at 2pm. We were represented by 24 RBLR members - both new & old faces, 1 friend & 2 family members, one being Mick's Daughter who helped me greatly in standard counting, this being 22, 17 Bikes were also there.
A good many friends of the two repatriated soldiers attended along with many from various regiments from all ranks, & a lot were in uniform.
Both families also were there in good numbers & have expressed their thanks to us for our continued attendance & help, The general public present as ever in all weathers numbered about the average for this time of year & our Biker friendly General also attended & came to speak to us as is now usual, so as ever, thanks to all who came today, your continued attendance is of great help to the families.
Gable Cross Police Station - On the A420 just east of the junction with the A419
There were three standard bearers on parade:
- Royal Marines Association – Swindon Branch
- Royal Air Force Association (Lyneham Old Boys)
- Royal Engineers
Plus – 10 x veterans in berets, 8 uniformed personnel from the Fire and Rescue Service with their fire appliance and 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 (15:40)
There were two standard bearers on parade:
- Royal Marines Association – Guildford Branch
- Royal Marines Association – Poole Branch
There were also a further 11 RM veterans, plus 1 from the RAF Regt and 2 from the Army ( RA and Royal Berks).
The parade was taken by WO1 (RSM) Stu Simpson (Royal Regiment of Scotland) assisted by WO John Houghton (RAF Regiment). Lt Col Andy Stevens ((ATO), RLC) paraded with a group of Majors from The Rifles, the Royal Engineers, the Royal Military Police and the Adjutant Generals Corps.
The number of veterans, uniformed military personnel and civilians reached 55.
Folly Hill lay-by - East of Faringdon on the A420, just north of the A417 junction (14:55).
There were six standard bearers on parade:
- Royal British Legion – Bampton Branch
- Royal British Legion – Faringdon Branch
- Royal British Legion – Shrivenham Branch
- Royal British Legion – Wantage Branch
- Oxfordshire Women’s Institute
- and the Union Flag
This was our 43rd. Repatriation meeting, to receive the 100th Soldier and 101st Soldiers, on the Folly Hill lay-by, east of Faringdon.
The cortege passed by at about 2.55pm and there were approximately 75 persons in attendance.
Included in these were local press reporters and photographers together with a national newspaper (Defence Journalist). The local Community Police also attended, bringing with them tea and coffee for those waiting in the lay-by.
Included with the veterans from the main services with their military caps and medals, we also had the Faringdon Town Mayor (Mike Wise), together with members of the Faringdon Town Council the Chairman of the Vale Branches of the R.B.L. (David Drew) and members of the Royal British Legion also attended from Bampton, Challow and Maidenhead.
John RadcliffeHospital - St Anthony of PaduaParishChurch, Headley Way. (16:20)
There were twelve 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
- The St Georges Society
plus the banner of the Royal Dragoon Guards.
Plus – a large contingent of serving soldiers fro The Rifles, over 61 veterans in berets and a further 35 veterans from all services.
There was a very large turnout from the population of Oxford including the Lord Mayor (Mary Clarkson) and other members from the City Council. Also in attendance was a fire appliance and crew from the Fire and Rescue Service and a large turnout from the Thames Valley Police who continued to provide hot drinks for those assembled here.
These hot drinks were supplemented by the efforts of two veterans wives who were dispensing portions of a very large fruit cake and warm bread pudding on this chilly day.
