Let’s all pay our respects to fallen
Swindon Advertiser
www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk
16th June 2009
A FORMER serviceman has called for more people to join him in paying respects to Britain’s dead soldiers.

John Marles travelled to the entrance of RAF Lyneham to salute two soldiers who were killed in Afghanistan. The 76-year-old, from Pound Close, Lyneham, has appealed for more people to travel to the RAF base for the repatriation ceremonies, which are also marked by the public in Wootton Bassett and outside Gablecross police station.

He said: “I feel Lyneham is where it starts and where the bodies come in. We are trying to arrange for more people to come here as a mark of respect. I have stopped going to Wootton Bassett and come here instead. We would like more people to turn out here.”

Mr Marles served in Trieste, Italy, as a medic in the 81st Field Ambulance unit in the 1950's, and proudly wears his service badges, cap and blazer at every repatriation ceremony.

He looked on as the bodies of Lieutenant Paul Mervis, 27, of 2nd Battalion the Rifles, and 20-year-old Private Robert McLaren from The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland, left the RAF base.

Mr Marles said: “I was in the army myself so like to pay my respects to these people. I feel very, very sorry when the bodies come back and especially feel for the parents who must be feeling like hell.

“I think it is probably a comfort for the families to see people showing their respects. It doesn’t stop at Wootton Bassett. People also turn out at Gablecross police station.

“A lot of people don’t like the idea of troops being in Iraq and Afghanistan. I personally don’t.”

Private McLaren was killed on Thursday 11th June 2009 in the morning while Lieutenant Mervis, from London, was killed in an explosion the following day.

Lieutenant Paul Mervis, of C Company, 2 Rifles, a proud officer was killed trying to protect his platoon from a roadside bomb in Helmand, southern Afghanistan. He becomes the 31st soldier to die in the province this year, he was killed in one of the most dangerous districts.

Lieutenant Mervis, 27, was on foot patrol in the northern part of Helmand, where the Taleban have a strong presence. He and his men had set out from Forward Operating Base Gibraltar, south of Sangin. Although the Ministry of Defence gave no details of the circumstances, it is the responsibility of platoon leaders to carry out an initial investigation when a suspected improvised explosive device is detected.

He has to confirm whether the object buried under the ground is a bomb. If it is, dealing with the device will require patience, courage and delicate excavation.

Lieutenant Mervis was educated at King’s College Wimbledon and University College London, where he studied philosophy. He was one of the first officers to be commissioned in the newly formed Rifles Regiment.

His family said: “He was passionately committed to his men, far beyond mere duty. He had read widely about Afghanistan and went with a genuine desire to help bring enough stability there to enable reconstruction to follow.”

Lieutenant-Colonel Rob Thomson, the commanding officer of 2 Rifles, said: “He was utterly irrepressible, there was no more committed officer in the Rifles and the riflemen adored being under his command.”

Hero rookie soldier Robert McLaren died in Afghanistan - four weeks after joining regiment. Black Watch Private Robert McLaren, 20, died as he dashed forward to take on Taliban fighters who had his pals pinned down. The young hero was fresh out of infantry training which he completed in April before taking a holiday and joining his regiment in Afghanistan.

He has been tipped for a possible medal after his Commanding Officer praised his "selfless bravery". As he charged he set off a Taliban mine which killed him instantly. Platoon commander Robert Colquhoun said: "With his section pinned down by accurate rifle fire and rocket attacks his instinct was to thrust forward to relieve pressure on his comrades. It was an honour to have led such a fierce, brave, loyal and proud highland soldier."

Major Matt Munro, his company commander, said: "On his first operation, he left an indelible impression on his brother Jocks when in his first contact he fearlessly engaged insurgents at close range."

The number of UK troops killed on operations in Afghanistan since 2001 now stands at 168.

Wootton Bassett mayor Steve Bucknell said: “Every time a cortege comes through I hope it will be the last. I’ve met with the friends of the rifleman who was killed and they are all very subdued. It is a huge loss.”

Twelve months ago today more..