Repatriation Pte MSG Bell 2 Batt. Parachute Regt.

REPATRIATION REPORT

Thursday 03 February, 2011

From operations in Afghanistan, the repatriation of:

Private Martin Simon George Bell (24), 2^nd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment

Pte Martin Bell died of wounds received from the blast of an IED while endeavouring to rescue a comrade injured by another IED, while on patrol on Nahr-e-Saraj District, Helmand Province, on 25^th January, 2011.

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 (1425)

This report from Duncan Wostenholm RMA

Some 30+ uniformed members of The Parachute Regiment joined family, friends and townspeople to mark the return of Private Bell from Afghanistan.

Among those present were Dame Elizabeth Neville, High Sheriff of Wiltshire, Chief Superintendent Paul Howlett, Wiltshire Constabulary, Mr Bert Davey, representing Councillor Mary Champion, the Mayor of Wootton Bassett, and Major Hill of the Parachute Regiment. There were also numerous veterans in berets and medals, plus 35 riders of the Royal British Legion Motorcycle Branch.

28 standards were paraded: Royal British Legion - Bretforton, Worcestershire County, Dursley & Cam, Swindon, Leyton, Lambourne, Hungerford, Abertillery, Devizes and Merthy Tydfil. Association standards included: The Parachute Regiment - Swindon, West Berkshire, Milton Keynes, Wessex, North Staffordshire, London and 101^st Airborne; others - Royal Regiment of Wales, Royal Marines - Bath, Koreans War Veterans, BKVA - Stoke on Trent, The Rifles - Somerset, Royal Berkshire Regiment, Aden Veterans, Royal Observer Corps, Welsh Guards Reunion, Canal Zone Veterans and the RN Association - Pershore & District.

Gable Cross Police Station - On the A420 just east of the junction with the A419 (1445)

This report from Pat Bristow, RMA

There were 10 veterans at the roadside, accompanied by 25 members of the public and a huge turnout of Police officers from the HQ - 120+. Four Association standards were paraded: Royal Marines - Swindon, Royal Engineers - Swindon, the Royal Signals and the RAF Lyneham Old Boys.

The salute to the cortege was led by Sergeant Mark Thompson of the Wiltshire Constabulary. It was all a bit of a confusion as the swift passing of the cortege was a bit mixed up with police cars with sirens and flashing lights, off to attend to a traffic accident up the road.

At the Road Bridge - over the A420 between Shrivenham and Highworth (1520)

Report by Derrick Jeans, RAFA

On the B4000 bridge over the A420, District Councillor Elaine Ware and eight others stood to pay their respects to Private Bell as the cortege passed slowly by. All traffic stopped.

United Kingdom Defence Academy - at the Watchfield Roundabout on the A420, adjacent to the UKDA. (1525 pm)

Report by Jim Hawkins, RMA

There were 13 Royal Marines Veterans attending, along with their regular comrades from the Royal Artillery (Ray), Royal Berkshires (Bert) and the Korean War. The standards of RMA Poole & District and Guildford were paraded. Retired officers included the President of RMA Poole, Major Stuart Syrad MC RM, Air Commodore Marcus Witherow, RAF Regiment, Major Peter Hastings RM and his wife Diana and Colonel Crispian Beattie.

Uniformed officers from the Defence Academy included Majors McKay, Rob Musetti, Ed Cartwright, Arran Wade, Adam Wilson, Mark Swan and Frank Gargan, all of the Parachute Regiment; Major Claire Heighington RMP, Squadron Leader Michelle Randall RAF, Lt Col Hamish Robson, and Pilot Officers Michael Millen and Peter Anthill RAF. There was also a good number of Academy civilian staff and members of the public, including Tom and Philippa Gasson. Eric Ridley, Tracy, Derek Warren and Jane Whittaker.

The salute to the Cortege was led by Major Adam Wilson, The Parachute Regiment and ordered by WO1 John Houghton, RAF Regiment, the RSM of the Joint Services Staff College.

Sergeant Bill Hayley of the Wiltshire Police has for quite some time now been the escort commander for the corteges from RAF Lyneham to as far as the Gable Cross Police HQ. Today was his last “run”, coinciding with his last operational day in the Police Force. We extend this military veteran our sincere thanks for all his help in “smoothing the way” and wish him well in his retirement.

Folly Hill Lay-by - east of Faringdon on the A420, just north of the A417 junction

This report by Joy Blake

What a lovely afternoon to be stood on the A420 Swindon to Oxford road in what started to be glorious sunshine, though sadly not to be enjoyed as we were awaiting the cortege bringing home the latest soldier to be killed in Afghanistan. The cortege passed us by at 3.35 pm and we were proud to be able to show our respects again as members of the public from the town of Faringdon and surrounding towns and villages.

There were over 70 people present and these included the Town Mayor, Mrs Margaret Barker and her escort, members of the Faringdon & District RBL, together with members from other branches; the community police, Mrs Wendy Simpson of the Wantage Action Group, together with many service veterans wearing the berets and medals. One ex-Paratrooper was given the privilege of carrying the Shrivenham RBL standard on this occasion. Standards on parade included the Union flag, RBL Faringdon, Shrivenham, Wantage, Royal Navy Veterans - Wantage and the RAF Association - Brize Norton and Carterton.

A television crew from the BBC attended, getting interviews on the pending relocation of repatriations via RAF Brize Norton to the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, in September this year.

John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford - near St Anthony Padua Parish Church, Headley Way.

This report from John Walker, RDGA

We here at the Final Turn stood true and strong to honour the fallen soldier. There were ten Royal British Legion standards on parade: Marston, Islip, Headington, Wheatley, Hazelmere, Bicester, Kidlington and Kidlington Womens Section. Association standards included The Parachute Regiment - Oxford, Coldstream Guards, Canal Zone - Oxon, St George Society - Oxon, Royal Air Force, Royal Navy & Royal Marines - Oxon, Royal Tank Regiment - Oxon, RAF PTIs - Windsor, Guards Division - Newbury, RAF Police and the banner of The Royal Dragoon Guards.

There were 50 veterans in berets and 40 others from all three services. Also in attendance were the Lord Mayor of Oxford, John Goddard, the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, John Harwood, and a crew of St John’s Ambulance. The Thames Valley police did their normal duties, as well as parading alongside us, under the watchful eye of Chief Inspector C. Agger. The Oxford Fire and Rescue service was there with their tender. The Oxford public were out in great force at the Final Turn, as well as coming up from the ring road, all the way up the hill to us at the John Radcliffe Hospital, many with large Union flags.

We thank our cake lady Diana, as many were there early and were in need of the wonderful home-made cakes she brings along. A thank you also to her other half Ian (former Ox & Bucks LI), who helps me put the lists together. We are also glad of the many helpers who serve out tea and coffee, not only to the vets but also members of the public on this very windy and cold day. The cortege passed us by at 1605 hrs. the Parade I/c was G. Whelan (ex-Para).

WE WILL REMEMBER THEM

Compiled by PH (Duty Scribe)

On behalf of the Royal Marines Association

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