Sergeant Peter Anthony Rayner (34)

REPATRIATION REPORT
Thursday 14 October, 2010
From operations in Afghanistan, the repatriation of:
Sergeant Peter Anthony Rayner (34), Arnhem Company, 2nd Battalion, Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment
Sgt Rayner, from Bradford, was the Javelin Platoon Sergeant, and was killed by an IED explosion while leading a foot patrol in the Nahr-e Saraj District, Helmand Province on 8th October, 2010. He operated out of Patrol Base Shammel Storrei, one of the most frequently and heavily attacked bases in Southern Helmand.
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 (1815)
This report from Duncan Wostenholm, RMA
Townspeople and visitors gathered in the High Street to join the family and friends for this repatriation. There was a number of service veterans present in berets and medals, including RM and RAF Police association members. Mary Champion, the Mayor of Wootton Bassett and her consort, Bert Davey attended and spoke to the family. 12 uniformed soldiers were present as well.
Nine standards were paraded: Royal British Legion Hungerford, Devizes, North East Glamorgan and Lambourn; Associations: Royal Berkshire Regiment (Windsor), Royal Regiment of Wales (Newport), Royal Navy (Swindon), RAF Corsham and 12 Group, Royal Observer Corps.
Gable Cross Police Station - On the A420 just east of the junction with the A419 (1840)
This report from Jim Semple, RAFA
There were 12 armed forces, with 5 police officers and 25 members of the public at the roadside. The standards of The Royal Engineers Association (Swindon) and the RAF Lyneham Old Boys were paraded.
The salute was led by Sergeant Mark Thompson of the Wiltshire Constabulary.
At the Road Bridge - B4000 over the A420 between Shrivenham and Highworth (1845)
Report by Elaine Ware (on behalf of Derrick Jeans, RAFA)
Darkness had fallen shortly before the cortege of Sergeant Rayner passed slowly by. District Councillor Elaine Ware and 6 others were there to pay their respects. The cortege was specially poignant as the inside of the hearse was lit, to display the flag-draped coffin. All oncoming traffic slowed or halted as the cortege approached.
United Kingdom Defence Academy - at the Watchfield Roundabout on the A420, adjacent to the UKDA. (1855)
Report by Patrick Hopper RMA
There were 7 RMA veterans present, plus Ray (RA veteran) with his wife. The standard of RMA Poole & District Branch was paraded.
Uniformed officers from the Academy were Captain Phil Burrill, Royal Navy, Major Claire Heighington RMP and Squadron Leader Falkner, RAF. 6 members of the public also stood alongside us. All traffic came to a halt as the cortege passed by.
The salute to the cortege of Sgt Rayner was led by Captain Burrill RN and ordered by WO1 John Houghton, RAF Regiment.
Folly Hill Lay-by - east of Faringdon on the A420, just north of the A417 junction
This report by Joy Blake
The “vigil” at Folly Hill lay-by was very well attended and about 70 people were there to show their respect to the soldier returned home. I, like others, was unable to attend owing to prior commitments, but considering the lay-by is not illuminated at all, and the only lights are the passing traffic, it was good that so many people attended this bleak part of the countryside. However, I understand from my “reporters” that there was this number attending, although in the dark it was not possible to count everyone. But it proved to be correct.
The cortege passed through at 6.55 pm and once again people from the town and surrounding villages were present. The Faringdon Town Mayor, Mrs Margaret Barker, together with her escort were present, as well as the community police, local Fire & Rescue Services members, Royal British Legion and other veterans from the services attended.
Standards on parade were the Union flag, Royal British Legion Faringdon, Bampton, Highworth, Shrivenham and Wantage.
John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford - near Anthony Padua Parish Church, Headley Way.
This report from John Walker RDG
We here at the Final Turn stood to honour our soldier, Sergeant Peter Rayner. There were seven Royal British Legion standards paraded: Oxford City, Littlemore, Headington, Chalgrove, Henley, Weatley and Kidlington. Association standards included The Coldstream Guards, Royal Navy & Royal Marines (Oxford), The Royal Tank Regiment (Oxon), The Canal Zone (Oxon) and the banner of the Royal Dragoon Guards.
There were 42 veterans in berets and medals and 20 others from all three services. There was a good turnout from the Oxford public on this dark and chilly evening. The normal Oxon ladies with their huge Union flags lined the route up to hill to us at the Final Turn. Mary (church secretary) and John (Caretaker) from the church stood alongside us. The cortege pass us by at 1950. This was the 95th time we have paraded at the Final Turn in just over two years, and coincidentally was the 95th military fatality to pass us by so far this year.
WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.
PH (Duty Scribe)
On behalf of the Royal Marines Association
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