Repatriation tributes in Headington

The police stop the traffic, and the standard-bearers prepare to cross to the middle of Headley Way

The rest of the crowd falls silent and waits

Standards are lowered as the cortège approaches

The hearse, with the coffin draped in the Union Flag, goes around “The Final Turn”

 

Photographs taken before the tribute

The Deputy Lord Mayor of Oxford, Alan Armitage (right), was in attendance …

… and Patrick Greene, the Chairman of Oxfordshire County Council

Bob Turrell and Oxford City Councillor Dee Sinclair before the tribute

Left to right, before the repatriation tribute: The Very Revd Bob Wilkes (Rector of the City Church of St Michael-at-the-Northgate);
Peter Bridges, MBE (a Deputy Lieutenant of Oxfordshire); David Wilbraham (Police Chaplain);
and the Revd Darren McFarland (Vicar of St Andrew’s Church in Headington)

Members of the public sit on the wall of St Anthony of Padua Church waiting to pay their respects

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Report from the Final Turn by John Walker, RDGA

We here at the Final Turn stood true and firm to honour Marine Wright.

There were nine Royal British Legion standards: Bicester & Launton, Headington, Hazelmere, Henley, Islip, Kidlington, Kidlington Women’s Branch, Marston, and Wheatley.

Association standards included: The Royal Marines (National Standard), Royal Marines (Windsor and Bicester & District), The Coldstream Guards, Guards Division (Newbury), The Parachute Regiment (Oxon), RAF Police, the St George Society and The Banner of The Royal Dragoon Guards.

Attendees included the Deputy Lord Mayor of Oxford, Councillor Alam Armitage; the Chairman of Oxfordshire County Council, Councillor Patrick Greene; and Colonel (Retd) B. Duncan MBE, Royal Tank Regiment.

There were 50 veterans with berets and medals and 20 others from all three services. The Thames Valley Police were out in force, not only on the normal traffic control duties but also alongside us on parade, under the command of Chief Inspector C. Agger. An Oxford Fire & Rescue tender was there with a full crew; also Mary and John from the church. We thank John for half-masting the Union flag early in the morning. There were at least 200 members of the public at the Final Turn and as always, many more leading from the Oxford ring road all the way into Marston and up to us at the Final Turn. There were huge Union flags along the route and also at the Final Turn. The flag of Ulster was also there.

Once again we thank the good ladies for their home-made cakes and for giving out tea and coffee, and helping to clear away afterwards.

The parade marshal was G. Whelan (former Para) and his 2i/c was J. Lewendon (former RA). The cortège passed us by at 1610hrs.