Fallen servicemen brought back through the county
Gazette and Herald www.gazetteandherald.co.uk
Swindon Advertiser www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk
1st December 2008
Hundreds gathered in Wootton Bassett to pay their respects to three more fallen heroes repatriated through the town. The High Street was awash with people, as ex-servicemen and women, families and well-wishers stood in silent tribute to three marines who lost their lives whilst serving in Afghanistan.

As the bells of St Bartholomew’s Church tolled, the three funeral corteges carrying the union flag draped coffins of Marines Tony Evans, 20, Georgie Sparks, 19 and Alexander Lucas, 24, made their way slowly through the High Street from RAF Lyneham. They paused for a minute’s silence outside the war memorial before making their way through the town. Crowds were three deep in places, while shop owners and workers took time out from their busy schedules to pay their respects.

One onlooker praised the local community who lined the streets on Monday afternoon. He said: “People only hear about these services through word of mouth but there is always such an impressive turn out. Sometimes we have been waiting for up to two hours before the procession arrives in the town from RAF Lyneham. I have come out to as many of them as possible to pay my respects. It is only a very small gesture and only about an hour out of my day but I know it is greatly appreciated by the families of these young men. It is so sad, there are too many, too young.”

Marines Evans and Sparks, both of J Company, 42 Commando Royal Marines, were killed conducting a foot patrol in Helmand Province on November 27 while Marine Lucas, from Victor Company, 45 Commando Royal Marines was killed on November 24 by an enemy Improvised Explosive Device.

Marine Lucas, of Southampton, leaves behind his fiancée, Jill, and young daughter, Cara. His father, Adrian, said: "Alex was a deeply loved son and brother, who was devoted to his fiancée and daughter. He brought so much happiness to all who met him and was described by close friends as a fantastic role model. He will be deeply missed and cherished by all who knew him.”

As the cortege pass through Wiltshire's Market town of Wootton Bassett to Oxfordshire, they routed passed Swindon's Gable Cross Police Station where Royal Marines from all over the country came to Wiltshire to pay their final respects to three of their fallen brothers. Some 500 veterans made the trip to say farewell at a number of locations. They were joined by more than 100 police and civilian staff who braved chilly temperatures to line the A420.

Michael Baxter, secretary of the Royal Marines Association, said Marines will travel any distance to say goodbye to one of their own. But Mr Baxter added that yesterday was special because they were able to line up next to Wiltshire Police.

He said: “This is fantastic. To see the police out here standing beside us is touching. We are very grateful to them for assisting us in this tradition the Royal Marines have had since the beginning – recognising the fallen.”

He added events like yesterday’s may become more common for Marines because 80 per cent of the 2,000-man unit were sent to fight in Afghanistan in September.

Chief Superintendent Paul Howlett of Swindon police said force had always maintained a strong relationship with the military because of their presence in Wiltshire. He said: “We are all here, each of us on our own volition to recognise the sacrifice of these brave soldiers.”

And PC Nikki Kennedy said: “I think we should do this thing as officers of trained discipline however, I am doing this for myself. These people have given up everything for us.”

The latest group of soldiers to lose their lives brings the number of UK forces killed in Afghanistan since the start of operations in 2001 to 128. Stanley Holland, president of the association, said the police provided members access to their canteen, along with coffee and tea, and invited them to come to the station in future because he said Wootton Bassett has become ‘too crowded’ for them.