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Hundreds line street to pay respects
8:23pm Monday 16th June 2008
Dignified applause greeted a cavalcade carrying the bodies of five British servicemen through Oxford, as 500 people lined the streets today to pay their respects.
The event followed a call to honour the 102 soldiers killed in action in Afghanistan since the current conflict began in 2002.
The cortege carrying Privates Nathan Cuthbertson, 19, Daniel Gamble, 22, and Charles Murray, 19, all of 2nd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, who were the 98th, 99th and 100th soldiers to be killed in the conflict, drove slowly through Marston and Headington.
The bodies of Lance Corporal James Bateman and Private Jeff Doherty were also carried in a journey from RAF Lyneham, in Wiltshire, where their bodies were repatriated, to the John Radcliffe Hospital, where post mortem examinations will be held.
Some of the crowd along Headley Way wore military uniforms, while others waved Union flags and clutched flowers. Many had waited for more than two hours to honour the fallen soldiers.
British Legion veterans saluted as the 12-car cavalcade passed, while others gently applauded.
Many wept as the cortege, flanked by police motorcyclists, drove by.
Michael Haines, 67, of Croft Road, Marston, said: "It was terribly emotional and my heart goes out to all their family and friends.
"They deserve what went on today, and Oxfordshire has done itself proud by honouring these soldiers and every serviceman from the local community who has gone out to fight for their country."
Parachute Regiment veteran Graham Whelan, 59, from Carterton, said: "The importance to us was they were from our regiment and most of us have served abroad at some time. These are fallen heroes and we pay our respects to our dead."
The repatriation of the five soldiers came on the day about 230 engineers, logistical staff and military training experts were to begin a tour of duty.
The move, announced by Defence Secretary Des Browne yesterday brings the overall UK strength in Afghanistan to more than 8,000.
Your Say YourOxford
Victoria Evans, Carterton says...
9:38pm Mon 16 Jun 08
It was a day that was sad but also hopefully has given the families concerned a small piece of comfort in knowing there are so many who, regardless of the politics involved, had the utmost respect for those who choose to serve Queen and Country.
They will be remembered always.
Forces Family, UK says...
9:40pm Mon 16 Jun 08
Mr Ison, England says...
9:47pm Mon 16 Jun 08
Foolish man.
Robert Warner, Henley-on-Thames says...
10:28pm Mon 16 Jun 08
caz, says...
10:29pm Mon 16 Jun 08
have you no morals mr ison?!
Mr Ison, England says...
10:40pm Mon 16 Jun 08
But what to do about the crimes of New Labour?
When will these dead get their Justice?
Mr Ison, England says...
11:08pm Mon 16 Jun 08
Many millions passed through their last years of education with that old lie made clear.
It may even be considered trite among certain circles.
'My friend, you would not tell with such high zest
To children ardent for some desperate glory,
The old Lie; Dulce et Decorum est
Pro patria mori.'
Also Mr Blair began raving about a 'Blood Price'.the biggest No! march in the history of England followed.
And then a load of persons waving Star of Davis appeared in Trafalgar in support of the 'BloodPrice' policy.
If you have anyone to thank it is they,everyone else said NO and meant it.
Soldiers Mum, Aylesbury says...
11:14pm Mon 16 Jun 08
Mr Ison, England says...
11:32pm Mon 16 Jun 08
They allowed military recruiters into schools in the past,does it still go unchecked?
Mr Ison, England says...
12:02am Tue 17 Jun 08
Surely there must be one courageous enough to question minority rule,no,none.
Surely the local Journalist could dig into the problem to assist the politician above,nope,not their job.
So who defends the countries youngsters from a predator minority,the police?
Nope,they have no jurisdiction over policy.
The Judiciary?
Nope,they can only advise death by misadventure.
It really falls to individuals to protect their own.
I feel something can be done to protect the vulnerable from being used as pawns in a minoriies murderous power struggle,perhaps you feel the same?
Sol, Worlds End says...
2:47am Tue 17 Jun 08
It's obvious from your rants, you are a consciences objector.
People like you used to be sent white fethers, in your case it should be a bullet.
People like you don't have the balls to come face to face with people like me, because you are scum.
Ban Ison from, This Site says...
3:25am Tue 17 Jun 08
caz, says...
6:02am Tue 17 Jun 08
ison is keen to take any rewards but is not willing give anything back!!
he will only futher prove my point each and every time he reply to these comment pages.
ison what have you ever done for this country? and do you think you could be so out spoken in iraq or afghanistan?
Tracey, Wantage says...
6:31am Tue 17 Jun 08
Ison should be sent to serve in Iraq or Afghanistan and see how he gets on there!
He might not be so opinionated then!
Those five soldiers were braver than anyone I know...
RIP xx
outspoken, oxon says...
9:06am Tue 17 Jun 08
Ed, Oxford says...
9:47am Tue 17 Jun 08
Sadly we all know why they died, but that's a discussion for another day.
RIP
R, Oxford says...
11:19am Tue 17 Jun 08
This article is about the showing some respect for brave armed forces who have lost their lives in a war, wether that war is right or wrong in peoples opinions should not come into it!! They've paid the ultimate price for doing a job that many would not even contemplate doing!!
Swampsnake, Oxford says...
12:03pm Tue 17 Jun 08
R wrote:I agree. Ison is one of lifes sad cases. From the tone of his writings I have come to the conclusion that he is just an ego tripper, an educated idiot with a holier than thou complex, probably a retired Oxford don from a generation or two of Surrender Monkeys.
Please can we all stop referencing Ison's rants! You are just playing into the muppets hands by getting riled about his stupid comments. This article is about the showing some respect for brave armed forces who have lost their lives in a war, wether that war is right or wrong in peoples opinions should not come into it!! They've paid the ultimate price for doing a job that many would not even contemplate doing!!
Five lads from the bravest regiment in the British Army achieved more in their short lives, lives shortened before their time, than Ison will ever achieve in his life time.
Let these lads rest in peace.
When I buy my red poppy this year it will be for them.
Ex Military, Northern Ireland says...
2:26pm Tue 17 Jun 08
Sol wrote:well done could not agree more with what you said about this scum bag a bullet would be the only solution for this animal I say animal as he is not fit to be a human being pity he did not show himself but obviously he is to scared.
Ison,
It's obvious from your rants, you are a consciences objector.
People like you used to be sent white fethers, in your case it should be a bullet.
People like you don't have the balls to come face to face with people like me, because you are scum.
Khan, Cowley says...
2:52pm Tue 17 Jun 08
Troop supporter, Carterton says...
3:26pm Tue 17 Jun 08
tengah, Abingdon says...
5:25pm Tue 17 Jun 08
My thoughts and prayers go out to the families of these brave young men.
War & Peace, Oxofrd says...
5:47pm Tue 17 Jun 08
Khan wrote:Well Done you - A muslim with the guts to stand up and be counted
As am a british muslim that does not support the war but still support our boys in Iraq & afghanistan as we are there we need to solve the problem we created or we will be in the same sitution as pakistan killing bombings etc. let all of us get behind these boys & pay them respect if we agree with the war or disagree we been put in a sitution by the goverment. Iraq based on lies but afghanistan i support & support every solider out there & respect there family & friends. Its a brave man job
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Mr Ison, England says...
9:11pm Mon 16 Jun 08