From operations in Afghanistan, the repatriation of: WO2 David Markland (36), 36 Regiment Royal Engineers WO2 Markland was killed by an IED while on operations with the Counter IED Task Force, South Central Battle Group, Helmand Province, on 8th February. Corporal John Moore (22), Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland Private Sean McDonald (26), Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland These soldiers, whose Battalion is part of the 3 Rifles Battle Group, were killed by an IED on 7th February, while on foot patrols near Sangin, in the Central Helmand Province. Service veterans and members of the public turned out in the following “stations of vigil” to pay their respects to the fallen as the cortege made its way on the 43 mile route from the point of arrival at RAF Lyneham to the John Radcliffe Hospital at Oxford. Wootton Bassett - Town Centre (14:00) This report from Duncan Wostenholm The Union Flag flew at half mast on the newly erected flagpole (dedicated last week by HRH The Prince of Wales) on Wootton Bassett High Street at 1500. Family, friends and townspeople lined the cortege route. Among those present were: Cllr Steve Bucknall, Mayor of Wootton Bassett Cllr Osborn, Mayor of Trowbridge Lord William Petty-Fitzmaurice, Mr James Gray, MP for North Wiltshire Cllr Eric Bell, Chairman of Chorley RBL Brigadier Mattingly CCB and Brigadier Christie CCB, both of the King’s Own Scottish Borderers Brigadier James Stevenson, Representative Colonel of the Royal Scottish Regiment Brigadier Robbie Scott-Bowden, Royal Scottish Regiment Capt K A Pope, Royal Scots Borderers and Capt B McGilvary, Royal Scottish Regiment Chief Inspector Simon Dicks, representing Wiltshire Constabulary 26 standards were paraded: Royal British Legion - Swindon RBL - Hungerford RBL - Bedwyn & District RBL - Abertillery RBL - Merthyr Tidfil RBL - Chorley RBL - Dursley & Cam. Royal Engineers Association - Bath RE Association - Thanet & District RE Association - Plant RE Association - Maidstone The Rifles Regiment Association - Royal Berkshire Regiment Old Comrades The Dorset Regiment Association - Bath, and Gillingham RAF Association - Leyland & District The Parachute Regiment Association – Swindon - Royal Scots Association - Scotland The Canal Zone Association - Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Cwmbran & District Ex-Servicemens Association Royal Naval Association - Swindon, and Calne Aden Veterans Association Chorley Ex-Servicemens Association Union Flag A number of service personnel in uniform, including a Lieutenant Royal Navy and many veterans in berets, including RMA. This report from Steve Blundell - RBL Riders It was a Bitterly cold day today when the cortège arrived at 14:30, it was met by all their families & a fair many friends of WO Markland, & a few friends of both Cpl Moore and Private McDonald, along with the various groups of people now regulars at these Repatriations. We were there in force today with 35 Members, 3 Family members and 4 friends of ours, one of whom is signing up with us today, The Riders Branch had 21 Motorcycles there along with 1 Trike, & we were joined by 3 other Motorcycles, 26 standards were flown by various associations. Another solid turnout by the Branch, especially nice to see so many “New” faces there, Thanks were expressed as is now normal from all three families. Well done all who attended. Gable Cross Police Station - On the A420 just east of the junction with the A419 (15:00) This report from Pat Bristow, RMA There were four standards present: Royal Marines Association – Swindon - Royal Engineers Association RAF Lyneham Old Boys Association - Royal Signals Association - Swindon There were also 15 Forces veterans and 13 members of the public, plus 80 police officers from the station, including the Chief Constable of Wiltshire. At the Road Bridge - over the A420 between Shrivenham and Highworth (15:05) This report from Derrick Jeans, RAFA At the side of the A420 where the B4000 crosses it, Cllr E. Ware and four local people stood as the cortege passed by at walking pace. They were joined by five passing motorists who left their cars to stand and interestingly, as far as could be seen along the A420, all the oncoming traffic drew to a halt and the majority of the drivers also stood beside their vehicles. United Kingdom Defence Academy - at the Watchfield Roundabout on the A420, adjacent to the UKDA. (15:10) Two Royal Marines Association standards were present: RMA - Poole & District and RMA - Guildford Plus 10 RMA veterans and veteran representatives of the Royal Artillery, Korean War and the Berkshire Regiment. Uniformed serving personnel included Colonel Bruce, Royal Regiment of Scotland, 5 Majors RRS, a Lieutenant Colonel Royal Engineers and 5 Majors RE, a Major of the Parachute Regiment, a Major RMP and an RAF Squadron Leader and WO1 John Horton RAF, the CWO of JSSC. About 40 Academy staff and members of the public were in attendance at the roadside, including an uniformed member of the Salvation Army. Thanks also to the MOD Police, who provided traffic control and our hosts at the College Farm Pub. Folly Hill Layby - east of Faringdon on the A420, just north of the A417 junction This report by Joy Blake The Folly Hill layby was once again full to capacity, and we had about 100 people attending, including the town mayor, Dr Mike Wise. Many veterans as well as serving personnel joined us. The Community Police once again brought us hot drinks. As well as Faringdon townspeople and some surrounding villages, there were members of the Faringdon Royal British Legion with representatives from Challow, Brampton, Wantage, Harwell, Newbury and Maidenhead. The standards were as follows: Union Flag Royal British Legion - Faringdon Oxfordshire Womens RBL RBL - Faringdon RBL – Bampton. RBL – Beedon. RBL - Challow RBL - Shrivenham RBL - Wantage Royal Naval Veterans Association
John Radcliffe Hospital - near St Anthony Padua Parish Church, Headley Way. (1535) This report from John Walker RDG: There were eight Royal British Legions Branch standards on parade: RBL - Oxford City RBL - Henley RBL - Chalgrove RBL - Kidlington RBL - Headington RBL - Islip RBL - Beaconsfield RBL - Wheatley Six Association standards: RMA - Windsor RMA - Bicester RMA - Henley Royal Navy - Oxford Coldstream Guards - Oxford Canal Zone Veterans - Oxford Plus the standards of Royal Society of St George and the Banner of the Royal Dragoon Guards. There were 65 veterans in berets and 35 others from all three services. A huge turnout of the Oxford public, not only where we were at the final turn, but all the way up the hill leading to us. Reports tell us that the Oxford ring roads were well above their normal turnout. The Thames Valley Police helped us veterans and many of the older members of the public with hot drinks: tea, coffee and soup. The vets’ wives brought in fruit cakes and hot bread pudding, even fresh bread and soup. Bless them all. The weather was kind, dry but a cold NE wind. However, the vets stood their ground.
-- Edited by Administrator on Monday 15th of February 2010 09:25:44 AM
