Repatriation of Cpl Pike 4th Batt RRS,L/Cpl Gill 42 RM & Rflm Lamb 1st Batt Rifles

REPATRIATION REPORT

Thursday 9^th June, 2011

From operations in Afghanistan, the repatriation of:

Corporal John Michael Pike (26), The Highlanders, 4^th Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland

Cpl Pike was fatally wounded by gunfire while on patrol in the Pupalzay area of Lashkar Gah District, Helmand Province, on 3^rd June, 2011.

Lance Corporal Martin Joseph Gill (22), 42 Commando, Royal Marines

LCpl Gill died of gunshot wounds received during an engagement with the enemy while on patrol in the Adensee area of Nahr-e Saraj (South), Helmand Province, on 5^th June, 2011.

Rifleman Martin Jon Lamb (27), 1^st Battalion, The Rifles

Rfn Lamb died in an IED explosion while on patrol in the Haji Kareen area of Nahr-e Saraj (South), Helmand Province, on 5^th June, 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. .

Royal Wootton Bassett - Town Centre (1715)

This report from Duncan Wostenholm, Royal Marines Association (RMA)

The High Street was so crowded today that it was difficult to move about and see who was there. I did see Councillor Paul Heaphy, the Mayor of Wootton Bassett, as well as last year’s Mayor and Warminster’s ex-Mayor.

There were uniformed contingents from The Royal Marines, The Royal Regiment of Scotland and The Rifles. Along with the many veterans were eight RMA veterans in berets, plus 37 motorcycles and 58 members of the Royal British Legion Riders Branch.

33 Standards were paraded: Royal Marines Association (Bath and Bristol), The Canal Zone Association, The Devon & Dorset Regiment, two Dorset Regiment Association branches, 43^rd Wessex Division Association, The Guards Association (Wiltshire), The Parachute Regiment (Swindon and Andover), 101^st Airborne Division, Aden Veterans, The RAF Association (Corsham and Chepstow), two Standards of The Rifles Association, The Royal Observer Corps (12 Group), The Royal Artillery (Newport), The Royal Regiment of Wales (Newport), The Korean War Veterans, The Royal Berkshire Regiment, The Gloucestershire Regiment and The Cwmbran Ex-Servicemens Association

The Royal British Legion Standards included Abertillery, Merthyr Tydfil, Dursley & Cam, Swindon, Potterne, Purton, Great Torrington, Lydney & District.

Gable Cross Police Station - On the A420 just east of the junction with the A419 (1730)

This report from Nick Stevens

Four Association Standards were paraded: Royal Marines (Reading), Royal Engineers (Swindon), Royal Signals (Swindon) and the RAF Lyneham Old Boys. There were about 30 veterans and members of the public by the roadside, to pay their respects to the cortege, along with 12 police officers from the adjacent HQ.

At the Road Bridge - B4000 over the A420 between Shrivenham and High worth (1745)

Report by Derrick Jeans, RAF Association

Where the B4000 crosses over the A420, District Councillor Elaine Ware and 14 members of the public gathered to pay their respects to the cortege as it passed by.

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

(1750)

Report by Jim Hawkins, RMA

In attendance by the roadside were 10 Royal Marines veterans and the Standards of RMA Poole and Guildford. We were joined by Air Commodore Marcus Witherow RAF Regt. (Retd) and his wife Mary, Major Peter Hasting RM (Retd) and his wife Diana, Captain John Capito RMR (Retd) and two army veterans of the Royal Berkshire Regt. and the Korean War. Also attending were about 20 academy civilian staff, relatives and members of the public.

Uniformed officers from the Defence Academy included Colonel Garth Manger, Majors Nick Copsey, Ed Waldmeyer, Al Carns, Sid Purser, Doug Pennefather, Graham Watson, Andy Titericky, Ros Kearney, Dean Watkins, Will Norcott, Andy Pritchard, Nick George, Innes Catton, and Baz Lewis - all of The Royal Marines; Majors Eoin Carson, William Wells and John Richards of The Rifles; Captain Phil Burrill, Royal Navy, Major Francis Nodder, RLC, Major Claire Heighington, RMP, Wing Commander Steve Hayler and Flight Lieutenant Dave Falkner RAF.

The salute to the cortege was led by Colonel Garth Manger RM and ordered by WO1 Mark Hannington, Mercian Regt., the Academy RSM.

Many thanks to Sgt Eddy McCabe and PC Greening of the MOD Police for their traffic control.

Folly Hill Lay-by - east of Faringdon on the A420, just north of the A417 junction (1755)

This report by Joy Blake

Today we had about 76 people attending the Folly Hill lay-by and included with the regulars were many veterans, Royal British Legion members and new faces and passers-by. The cortege solemnly slowed right down when it passed us at 6.10pm. We were grateful to the Thames Valley Police for the respect shown to us in the slow procession and the stopping of oncoming traffic.

Of the passers-by there were three soldier cyclists, who were supposed to be meeting their Sergeant Major at the lay-by, but they appeared to have lost their way! There were other new faces from the town of Faringdon and surrounding villages.

Many veterans were there, wearing their berets and medals. In attendance also was the Chairman of the Vale of The White Horse District Council, Alison Thompson), Faringdon Town Mayor, Mike Wise, councillors from Faringdon, as well as Wendy Stimpson from the Wantage Neighbourhood Action Group.

Standards paraded were: the Union flag, Royal British Legion - Faringdon, Bampton, Shrivenham, Wantage, RAFA Brize Norton and Carterton and the Royal Navy Veterans from Wantage.

John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford - near Anthony Padua Parish Church, Headley Way. (1855)

This report from John Walker, former RDG

We here at The Final Turn stood true and firm to honour these three soldiers.

There were nine Royal British Legion Standards: Bloxham, Chalgrove, Headlington, Islip, Kidlington, Kidlington Womens Branch, Marston and Wheatley.

Association Standards included: The Coldstream Guards, Canal Zone (Oxon), RAF Police, RAF PTI Association (Windsor), The Royal Marines and Royal Navy (Oxon), The Royal Marines (Bicester), The St George Society and The Banner Of The Royal Dragoon Guards.

There were 55 veterans in berets and medals and 38 others from all three services. The St John’s Ambulance was represented by John Johns and Mary represented the church and who had been out early to half mast the Union flag, as John is on holiday. Thames Valley Police were out in force, doing their normal duties, as well as parading with us, under the command of Chief Inspector C. Agger. The two RBL Bikers were with us again (Tony and Martin)!

Once again there was a huge turnout by the Oxford public. Here at the Final Turn we had over 240 people, with many more coming off the ring road into Marston, leading up the hill to us. Many had huge Union flags and again it was nice to notice the presence of the Ulster flag.

I would like to mention my usual helper Ian (former Ox & Bucks LI) who has not been feeling too well of late. We wish him well. His duties are now being carried out by Mike Townsend, RBL Carterton. Thank you Mike. The parade marshal was G. Whelan (former Para). His 2i/c was J. Lewendon (former RA). The weather was overcast but dry, and 16⁰C. The cortege passed us by at 1855hrs.

Their Courage and Sacrifice Will Not Be Forgotten

As an afternote, on Tuesday 7^th June a group of us, which included four Royal British Legion Standards attended the funeral of our oldest veteran who attended, Leonard Rudman, who died, aged 97, on 19^th May. He lived in Woodstock, about 30 minutes drive away. I say drive, because that is what he did until about four months ago. Born in 1914, he joined the RAF in 1936 and served throughout the last World War until 1964. He was a fine gentleman and was always very smart in his turnout. The church service was held at St Mary Magdelene Church in Woodstock. His Grace the Duke of Malborough was there as Len was a very hardworking member of the local Royal British Legion and had been, all his life since leaving the RAF. The Duke is his Branch President. Len, it was an honour to have stood alongside you, Sir. May you rest in peace.

Report compiled by Patrick Hopper, RMA Poole & District, with many thanks to our contributors.

On behalf of the Royal Marines Association

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