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For photographs relating to this repatriation, please go to –

www.rmarepatnetwork.org

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REPATRIATION REPORT

Thursday 19^th May, 2011

From operations in Afghanistan, the repatriation of:

Marines Nigel Dean Mead (19), 42 Commando, Royal Marines

Marine Mead died in an IED explosion while operating as part of Combined Force Nad ‘Ali in Wadi Loy Mandeh, Helmand Province, on 15^th May, 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

This report from Duncan Wostenholm, RMA

The repatriation of Marine Mead took place this evening, joining family and friends to pay tribute to the young member of 42 Commando, was about 15 of his Royal Marines colleagues in uniform. 12 RMA veterans in berets (including John Ellis and Dave Powell who attend most repatriations), 43 rider of the Royal British Motorcycle Branch, three Town Criers and numerous veterans from all services, in berets.

21 standards were paraded:

Royal British Legion - Leyton, Lambourn, Hungerford, Swindon, Abertillery and Merthy Tydfil;

Associations: Royal Marines Bath and Bristol, Aden Veterans, Royal Observer Corps, RAFA Corsham, RNA Swindon, Korean War Veterans, Swindon and Stoke on Trent, Royal Berkshire Regiment Windsor, Royal Regiment of Wales Newport, Cwmbran Ex-Servicemen, Parachute Regiment Swindon and West Berkshire, Parachute Regiment and Airborne North Staffordshire and the 101^st Airborne.

Gable Cross Police Station - On the A420 just east of the junction with the A419 (1520)

This report from Pat Bristow RMA

There were five Association standards paraded at Gable Cross: Royal Marines Swindon and Basingstoke, Royal Signals Swindon, Royal Engineers Swindon and the Royal Navy Woking.

10 veterans stood to honour the cortege, alongside members of the public and some police officers.

At the Road Bridge - B4000 over the A420 between Shrivenham and Highworth (1535)

Report by Derrick Jeans, RAFA

On the B4000 bridge over the A420, Councillor Elaine Ware and six members of the public stood to pay their respects as the cortege passed by at walking pace. Oncoming traffic came to a halt and several drivers and passengers got out of their vehicles to stand and honour the cortege.

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

Report by Jim Hawkins, RMA

There were 12 RMA veterans attending, along with one RA, one Royal Berks, one Korean War and one Royal Signals veteran and five wives. The standards of RMA Poole and Guildford were paraded.

Uniformed officers from the Defence Academy included Colonel Manger, Colonel Burnell, Lt Col Gadie, Lt Col Crawford, Majors Catton, Ryall, Purser, Pennefather, Norcott, Carns, Watkins, George, Watson, Waldmeyer, Pritchard, Jess, and Lewis, and Captain Hill, all of The Royal Marines, Captain Sparks RM (Retd), Major Richard of The Rifles and Lieut Mackarness of The Coldstream Guards. We were also joined by six academy staff and members of the public.

The salute to the cortege of Marine Nigel Mead was led by Colonel Manger RM and ordered by WO2 Peter Davies RLC.

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

This report by Joy Blake

About 80 people attended, the ex-servicemen wearing their berets and medals at our repatriation meeting at the Folly Hill lay-by on the A420. As it was a later time, working people were able to attend and this was a remarkable turnout.

Many veterans attended and we were able to pay our respects to Marine Nigel Mead, when the cortege passed us by at 6.05 pm.

Included in those attending were local townspeople and members of the Royal British Legion, members of the Faringdon Fire and Rescue Service, town councillors, as well as townspeople from nearby towns and villages. We were alsp pleased to welcome the incoming Mayor of Faringdon and his escort, Mike and Ingrid Wise. Standards paraded were: the Union flag, Royal British Legion Faringdon, Bampton, Highworth, Shrivenham, Wantage, Womens’ Oxfordshire Branch and RAFA Brize Norton and Carterton and the Royal Navy Veterans, 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 true and firm to honour this Royal Marine. There were 9 Royal British Legion standards: Bicester, Bodicote, Chalgrove, Henley, Islip, Kidlington, Kidlington Womens Section, Marston and Wheatley. There were 9 Association standards: Royal Marines (national), Royal Marines (Windsor and Welwyn Garden City), The Parachute Regiment (Oxon), Guards Division (Newbury), Coldstream Guards, Canal Zoners (Oxon), St George Society, RAF Police and the banner of The Royal Dragoon Guards.

There were 55 veterans in berets and 30 others from all three services. The Lord Mayor of Oxford, John Goddard, sent his apologies, as did the Lord Lieutenant of Oxford, as they had a prior engagement at a civic reception in the city for the appointment and presentation of the chain of office to the new Lord Mayor, Councillor Elisa Benjamine.

The church was represented by Mary and John (we thank John for being there very early and once again placing the Union flag at half mast. There were about 250 members of the public at the Final Turn and many more standing at the bottom of the hill leading up to us. Reports tell us that there were many all along the Oxford ring road. Thames Valley Police were out in force, with their normal duties, as well as lining the route with us, under the watchful eye of Inspector C. Agger. The Oxford Mail was with us again, taking photographs.

Once again I thank Ian (former Ox & Bucks LI) for helping me put the lists together and his good lady for bringing the homemade cakes. Tea and coffee was served not only to the veterans on parade but also to the members of the public who were there from quite early on. We thank so many local people who donate to this (tea, coffee etc.) and to the vets’ wives and others who help behind the counter.

The weather was dry and 18⁰. The Parade Marshal was G. Whelan (ex-Para) and 2i/c was J. Lewendon (ex-RA).

WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.

Report compiled by PH (Duty Scribe)

.............................................................................................................Arborfield Old Boys' Association