Flypast over Wootton Bassett 12:00 RAF scheduled timing
Family Service Starts 13:00 hours -RAF scheduled Timing
Cortege is expected to leave RAF Lyneham at about 14:10 Hours +/- 30 minutes
Distance to be covered approximately 4 miles to Wootton Bassett
Wootton Bassett 14:25 hours +/- 30 minutes - Rough estimate of departure time from Wootton Bassett(20 minutes average to Gable X Pol Stn)
Distance to be covered approximately 13 miles to GX Police Station
Gable Cross Police Station (A420) 14:45 hours +/- 30 Minutes - Thames Valley Police estimated time to take over responsibility for Cortege
(5 minutes average to Bridge over A420)
Distance to be covered approximately 3.5 miles to Bridge over A420
Bridge over A420 (carrying B4000) 14:50 hours +/- 30 minutes
(5 minutes average to UKDA)
Distance to be covered approximately 1.5 miles to UK Defence Academy UK Defence Academy (A420) 14:55 hours +/- 30 minutes
(5 minutes average to Folly Lay-by)
Distance to be covered approximately 4.5 miles to Folly Lay-by
Folly Hill Lay-by (A420) 15:00 hours +/- 30 minutes -
(45 minutes average to JRH)
St. Anthony of Padua Parish Church 15:40 hours +/- 30 minutes
John Radcliffe Hospital (Oxford) 15:45 hours +/- 30 minutes - Thames Valley Police estimated time of arrival at the John Radcliffe Hospital
REPATRIATION REPORT
Thursday 15 April, 2010
From operations in Afghanistan, the repatriation of: Fusilier Jonathan Burgess (21), 1st Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers Fusilier Burgess was killed by a gunshot wound while on operations at Nad Ali, Helmand Province on 7th April 2010. 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 47 mile route from the point of arrival at RAF Lyneham to the John Radcliffe Hospital at Oxford.
Wootton Bassett - Town Centre (1440)
This report from Duncan Wostenholm
A good number of people turned out for this repatriation and included Steve Bucknell, Mayor of Wootton Bassett and the Mayors of Swansea and Chippenham. The Royal British Legion Riders were also in attendance. There were over 40 veterans and a small detachment of Fusiliers from the Hero’s Regiment. 18 standards were paraded, but unfortunately time did not allow us to identify five of them. Those noted were RBL Swindon, Hungerford, Abertillery and Merthyr Tidfil, and the Association standards of The Rifles, Cwmbran Old Comrades, Royal Regiment of Wales, Royal Observer Corps, RAFA Calne, RNA Calne and Pershore and District, 1st Parachute Regiment and the Canal Zone Veterans.
Gable Cross Police Station - On the A420 just east of the junction with the A419 (1450) This report from Pat Bristow, RMA
There were the usual three standards paraded: RMA Swindon, Royal Engineers, Swindon and the RAF Lyneham Old Boys. 10 veterans attended, along with 30 members of the public and 100 police officers. The salute was ordered by Inspector Adrian Burt.
At the Road Bridge - over the A420 between Shrivenham and Highworth (1500)
This report from Derrick Jeans, RAFA
At the B4000 bridge over the A420, eleven people paid their respects as the cortege passed by at walking pace. All the oncoming traffic drew to a halt. United Kingdom Defence Academy - at the Watchfield Roundabout on the A420, adjacent to the UKDA. (1505) 7 RMA veterans attended, along with the standard of the RMA Poole & District Branch. There were also as always the Canal Zone veteran. Additionally, there were about 15 academy staff and members of the public. As always we had two constables of the MOD Police for traffic control.
The Defence Academy was represented by two ladies, a Commander RN and a Major RMP. A bit short on numbers, but all is forgiven as everyone is on leave at the moment! The salute was ordered by WO1 Stuart Simpson, the Academy RSM. I’m told that there was also a member of parliament in attendance, which is a first for us, I think. There must be an election coming.
Folly Hill Layby - east of Faringdon on the A420, just north of the A417 junction
This report by Joy Blake
The Faringdon meeting on the A420 at Folly Hill lay-by saw about 80 people attending, when we met to show our respect to the young soldier returned from Afghanistan. Six people also attended at the Fernham Road junction. The cortege passed us by and as usual both of our “vigil” points were given respect in that the cortege slowed right down for our standards to be lowered. Among the Royal British Legion members from Faringdon, surrounding towns and villages, as well as townspeople, many veterans attended wearing their caps and medals. Also in attendance was the Faringdon Town Mayor, Dr Mike Wise, together with his wife. We Also had the local Fire Service and tender and four of their members, who joined us for our act of respect. The community police also attended, bringing with the hot drinks, so that was most welcome on an afternoon when the weather changed to a bitterly cold wind. The standards present were the Union Flag, Royal British Legion Branches from Faringdon, Bampton, Highworth, Shrivenham, Wantage, and the Wantage Royal Naval Veterans Association.
My thanks once again to Blondie for his constant support!
John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford - near St Anthony Padua Parish Church, Headley Way. This report from Graham Whelan, Parachute Regiment veteran
There was a good turnout even though timings seemed to be changed every ½ hour! Even the police were amused. 50 veterans in berets and at least 45 others plus a good turnout from the public. The standards were: Royal British Legion Oxford City, Islip, Littlemore, Henley, Wheatley and Kidlington and Bicester. There were three Association standards: Coldstream Guards, Canal Zone, Royal Navy and the Society of St George. Refreshments were provided by the cake lady and Russell Parker and his wife did a good job on the tea urn. The weather was good and the cortege arrived on the day RAF Lyneham said it would!
Note from Scribe (RM veteran) - interesting to note that our “cousins” in the United States Marine Corps have just lost their 944th marines in Afghanistan, to add to the 4,700 killed so far in Iraq. This of course does not include the total US Army number, which is proportionately greater. Sobering to compare with the 286 British servicemen lost in Afghanistan, but no less serious.
-- Edited by Administrator on Tuesday 13th of April 2010 04:01:08 AM
-- Edited by Administrator on Tuesday 20th of April 2010 02:27:58 AM
