8 September 2011Sergeant Barry Weston (Kilo Company, 42 Commando Royal Marines) The pictures below show the repatriation tribute that took place in Headley Way |
Poppy wreaths: Royal Marines and the Headington “Final Turn”
The coffin is draped with the Union Flag, and placed on top are tributes from Carterton
Standards remain lowered as the cortège goes around the Final Turn
Photographs taken before the tribute
Standards lined up at the ready
The Lord Mayor of Oxford, Elise Benjamin, is interviewed by the Oxford Mail
Some old soldiers arrive on motorbikes
JJ wears his Union flag
Report from the Final Turn by John Walker, former RDG
We here at The Final Turn stood true and firm to honour this Royal Marine.
There were 13 Royal British Legion Standards: Bicester, Bicester & Launton, Bodicote, Chalgrove, Headington, Hazlemere, Islip, Kidlington, Kidlington Women’s Section, Peppard & District, Marston, and Wheatley.
Association Standards included: The Coldstream Guards, Canal Zone (Oxon), Guards Division (Newbury), RAF Police, Royal Marines (Oxford), (Handworth), and (Windsor), The Royal Tank Regiment (Oxon) and The Banner of The Royal Dragoon Guards.
VIPs present were the Lord Mayor of Oxford, Cllr Elise Benjamin, the Very Rev Robert Wilkes, Father Aldo from St Anthony Padua Church and Colonel (Retd) B. Duncan MBE, Royal Tank Regiment.
There were 55 veterans in berets and medals and 40 others from all three services and these were joined by eight Royal Marines in uniform. Thames Valley Police were out in force, doing their normal duties, as well as parading with us, under the command of Detective Chief Inspector Paul Gratian. We were also joined by Mary and John from the church (John having half-masted the Union flag that morning), four RBL Bikers – Martin, Rick and a couple of first-timers, Yanto Evans and Taff Carr.
There were in excess of 400 members of the public at The Final Turn, with many more leading up the hill to us. Many hundreds were all around the ring road leading into the Marston area. Once again we thank the veterans’ wives and partners who helped with the tea, coffee, home-made cakes and biscuits.
The weather was kind, late sun at 18°C. The cortege passed us by at 1835hrs.
The parade marshal was J. Lewendon (former RA). Graham Whelan (former Para) was lent as parade marshal to the new Memorial Garden at Carterton for a few repatriations, to guide them along.
