Those that know me, will be aware that I try to maintain perspective, to keep things in context. I've seen the posts on Facebook regarding the future military corteges and their routes from Brize Norton and I wanted to find out the facts. I searched on-line for the background information and in amongst all the angry articles, and a piece from Hitchens in the Daily Mail, I found this one piece that gives a little more detail and adds that context I seek.
For what it's worth, I don't feel that the coffins should be paraded around Oxfordshire to satisfy the post-Diana mawkishness that we seem to suffer from now. However, I do feel absolutely, that if people wish to stop and show their respects, as the people of Royal Wootton Bassett did, then that is their right and they should be allowed to do so, whenever and wheresoever they choose. It does look as if the village of Brize Norton may become the focus that was RWB.
defencemanagement.com
The bodies of British troops repatriated from Afghanistan are to leave RAF Brize Norton via a side exit in order to avoid upset, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed.
The move will take effect by the end of September this year, when troops will be repatriated via RAF Brize Norton rather than RAF Lyneham, which is set to close.
The corteges had been taken from RAF Lyneham to Oxford's John Radcliffe hospital in preparation for their inquests, leading to emotional scenes as they passed through the town of Royal Wootton Bassett.
However, flying operations at RAF Lyneham are due to end by 30 September, meaning all repatriation flights will return to RAF Brize Norton to the west of Oxford.
Corteges will leave via a 'side exit' in order to avoid passing schools, families and married quarters, veterans minister Andrew Robathan has said.
"The side gate was seen by the Ministry of Defence and the police as the most appropriate way to take out future corteges," Robathan told BBC Radio Oxford.
"I am not sure taking coffins in hearses past schools, past families, past married quarters is necessarily the thing that everybody would wish to see… the focus must be on the families of the dead service personnel. They are the people who care most. That is where our focus is."
An MoD spokesman said the route, chosen by West Oxfordshire District Council, had to consider the personnel and in the area who were about to deploy on operations and their families, as well as the bereaved.
"Consideration has also been given to ensure the dignity and solemnity of the military repatriation ceremony is maintained and to those who are arriving at RAF Brize Norton about to deploy on operations."
An Oxfordshire County Council spokesman said the council was constructing a memorial garden along the new route to allow people to pay their respects.
Addendum
Web page of local Independent councillor Adrian Coomber
Potential route for funeral corteges
For what it's worth, I don't feel that the coffins should be paraded around Oxfordshire to satisfy the post-Diana mawkishness that we seem to suffer from now. However, I do feel absolutely, that if people wish to stop and show their respects, as the people of Royal Wootton Bassett did, then that is their right and they should be allowed to do so, whenever and wheresoever they choose. It does look as if the village of Brize Norton may become the focus that was RWB.
defencemanagement.com
'Side exit' for Brize Norton corteges
27 June 2011The bodies of British troops repatriated from Afghanistan are to leave RAF Brize Norton via a side exit in order to avoid upset, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed.
The move will take effect by the end of September this year, when troops will be repatriated via RAF Brize Norton rather than RAF Lyneham, which is set to close.
The corteges had been taken from RAF Lyneham to Oxford's John Radcliffe hospital in preparation for their inquests, leading to emotional scenes as they passed through the town of Royal Wootton Bassett.
However, flying operations at RAF Lyneham are due to end by 30 September, meaning all repatriation flights will return to RAF Brize Norton to the west of Oxford.
Corteges will leave via a 'side exit' in order to avoid passing schools, families and married quarters, veterans minister Andrew Robathan has said.
"The side gate was seen by the Ministry of Defence and the police as the most appropriate way to take out future corteges," Robathan told BBC Radio Oxford.
"I am not sure taking coffins in hearses past schools, past families, past married quarters is necessarily the thing that everybody would wish to see… the focus must be on the families of the dead service personnel. They are the people who care most. That is where our focus is."
An MoD spokesman said the route, chosen by West Oxfordshire District Council, had to consider the personnel and in the area who were about to deploy on operations and their families, as well as the bereaved.
"Consideration has also been given to ensure the dignity and solemnity of the military repatriation ceremony is maintained and to those who are arriving at RAF Brize Norton about to deploy on operations."
An Oxfordshire County Council spokesman said the council was constructing a memorial garden along the new route to allow people to pay their respects.
Addendum
Web page of local Independent councillor Adrian Coomber
Potential route for funeral corteges
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