Tears as four soldiers are repatriated
0 Comments | Herald, The; Glasgow (UK), Jul 23, 2010
The families of four British servicemen killed in Afghanistan wept side by side yesterday as the bodies of their loved ones were returned to British soil.
Hearses carrying the Union Flag-draped coffins of Staff Sergeant Brett Linley, 29, of 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment, and Sergeant David Monkhouse, a 35-year-old member of the Royal Dragoon Guards, passed through Wootton Bassett after being repatriated to nearby RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire.
They were followed by Senior Aircraftman Kinikki Griffiths, 20, of 1 Squadron RAF Regiment, and Marine Jonathan Crookes, 26, of 40 Commando Royal Marines.
Hundreds of mourners – soldiers, shopkeepers and well-wishers – lined the high street to pay their respects to the fallen men.
Family members placed flowers on top of the hearses as they paused for a minute’s silence next to the town’s war memorial, which was covered with more floral tributes.
The silence was broken only by the sound of relatives weeping and the bells of St Bartholomew and All Saints Church.
Sarah Summers, 45, came to Wootton Bassett from Shropshire to pay tribute to her cousin Marine Crookes.
She said: “Jonathan was so brave. We’re just so amazed at what he did out there. He was a humorous man and was very passionate.”
Keith Lovett, 69, lives in Wootton Bassett, and attends most of the repatriation ceremonies that pass through his town.
He said he was touched by a tribute paid to the town by US President Barack Obama.
“Recognition from such a high level was very well received,” he said,
“It’s not much to come down here and give five minutes of my time.
“These lads give so much more to protecting our country, it’s the least I can do.”
The cortege continued its journey on to John Radcliffe Hospital, in Oxford, where post-mortem examinations will be conducted on all four soldiers.