The people of Carterton will stand in silent tribute later today as three servicemen are repatriated to the UK.
Lieutenant Andrew Chesterman Credit: Ministry of Defence
Guildford soldier Lieutenant Andrew Chesterman of 3rd Battalion, The Rifles died after he went to the aid of colleagues whose vehicle had struck a roadside bomb. He was shot while trying to take control of the situation in the Nad 'Ali district of Helmand Province.
Lance Corporal Matthew Smith Credit: Ministry of Defence
Lance Corporal Matthew David Smith grew up in Aldershot and was passionately involved with the 26th Engineer Regiment football team. The father of 4 was shot while trying to build a new check point in Helmand province, despite the efforts of his colleagues he sadly died of his wounds.
Guardsman Jamie Shadrake Credit: Ministry of Defence
Guardsman Jamie Shadrake of the Reconnaissance Platoon, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards died when his check point was overrun by insurgents on Friday 17th August. He is the 425th British soldier to die in Afghanistan.
The servicemen will be flown into RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire. Private ceremonies for their families will be held on the air base before the cortege leaves via the Britannia Gate on its way to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.
A memorial bell which will be used to signal approaching repatriation corteges in Oxfordshire has arrived in the county. It will be installed opposite the memorial garden at Carterton next month, following an appeal which raised £26,000.
It's been delivered to Whites of Appleton near Abingdon where a four metre high tower to house it is being made. The bell is 25 inches high and 31 inches wide.
A memorial bell which will be used to signal approaching repatriation corteges in Oxfordshire has arrived in the county. It will be installed opposite the memorial garden at Carterton next month and follows an appeal which raised £26,000.
It's been delivered to Abingdon where a tower to house it is being made. The bell is 25 inches high and 31 inches wide.
Warm applause was given by the people of Carterton for a solider repatriated this afternoon. Guardsman Michael Roland was just 22-years-old when he was killed in Afghanistan. His family paid their last respects as his cortege passed through the Oxfordshire town.
The Last Post was played for the return of 22-year-old soldier from Worthing in West Sussex. Guardsman Michael Roland had been in Afghanistan for less than four weeks when he died of his injuries last Friday. The father of twins was repatriated to RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire.
Guardsman Michael Roland Credit: Ministry of Defence
The body of a 22-year-old father of twins from Worthing, West Sussex, has been flown home. Guardsman Michael Roland, from 1st Bn Grenadier Guards was killed during a patrol in the Nahr-e-Saraj district of Helmand Province. He has been repatriated to RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire this afternoon.
