Brize Norton Repatriation Route
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Brize Norton Repatriation Route
RAF Brize Norton repatriations route is confirmed - 8 Jun 11
I have to say that I'm really sad and angry at the proposed route!
I have to say that I'm really sad and angry at the proposed route!
Leaving by a back entrance/crash gate is not exactly the proper way to do things, if they do not want to show any respect then come out and say so, the politicians who sat down and approved this should be ashamed of themselves. More importantly they should be named and shamed, see how long they last in office...... Discracefull behaviour the people of Carterton should start complaining to their MP about it.
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Repatriation route avoids town centre
Some very interesting comments from readers at the bottom of the article.
It looks like Brize Norton Village will become the next Wootton Bassett and I'm sure that The Chequers will show the same level of hospitality. But I'm not so sure if all the speed bumps and chicanes will be very dignified.
Some very interesting comments from readers at the bottom of the article.
It looks like Brize Norton Village will become the next Wootton Bassett and I'm sure that The Chequers will show the same level of hospitality. But I'm not so sure if all the speed bumps and chicanes will be very dignified.
Last edited by LFFC; 9th Jun 2011 at 20:10.
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Bollox to the MP for Carterton; the address is 10 Downing Street!
The main gate and right is dignified without Carterton, but the crash gate and left has a distasteful irony to it.
The main gate and right is dignified without Carterton, but the crash gate and left has a distasteful irony to it.
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Some interesting comments in the article
From those comments I get the impression that Oxfordshire disproves of what happens at Wootton Bassett and it will not happen in Carterton.
the set up would be very different.
"It's grown into an industry in Wootton Bassett and I don't know whether that will happen in Oxfordshire."
the repatriations had been turned into a spectacle and added: "It's not a circus but a military homecoming."
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Ding-ding! All aboard the PPRuNe Outrage bus!!
Folks, before everyone leaps on a thin excuse to batter the next decision how about the facts?
What would be the operational impact on (Future) Brize and those currently deployed or deploying on Ops if the station had and used the luxury of stopping for as long as Lyneham does on repatriation days?
Is it Brize or the Thames Valley Police that have dictated that route?
For the most part, repatriations happen on a Thursday - market day in Carterton which blocks of the whole town centre from the back gate. If the main gate was used, then the route through the town would be out of the way - would it be right to bend away from a direct route for spectators' sakes?
Real reports from Wootten Bassett are varied - what started as a spontaneous mark of respect has grown into something very different. Of course there are those (any many of them) who are there for respectful reasons. Others' motives are, at the least, questionable. The local 'politician' in the OP's link is, of course, not in the least bit thinking about a bit of PR for his town and the 'Royal' title given to WB??
How about showing some respect to the families and not making them feel like their grief is on parade as their loved ones make the journey to the JR?
I don't think it's nearly as clear cut as some posters here would make out - the geography may be different (although remember repatriations were held at Brize prior to Lyneham) but the level of respect for the fallen most certainly isn't.
Folks, before everyone leaps on a thin excuse to batter the next decision how about the facts?
What would be the operational impact on (Future) Brize and those currently deployed or deploying on Ops if the station had and used the luxury of stopping for as long as Lyneham does on repatriation days?
Is it Brize or the Thames Valley Police that have dictated that route?
For the most part, repatriations happen on a Thursday - market day in Carterton which blocks of the whole town centre from the back gate. If the main gate was used, then the route through the town would be out of the way - would it be right to bend away from a direct route for spectators' sakes?
Real reports from Wootten Bassett are varied - what started as a spontaneous mark of respect has grown into something very different. Of course there are those (any many of them) who are there for respectful reasons. Others' motives are, at the least, questionable. The local 'politician' in the OP's link is, of course, not in the least bit thinking about a bit of PR for his town and the 'Royal' title given to WB??
How about showing some respect to the families and not making them feel like their grief is on parade as their loved ones make the journey to the JR?
I don't think it's nearly as clear cut as some posters here would make out - the geography may be different (although remember repatriations were held at Brize prior to Lyneham) but the level of respect for the fallen most certainly isn't.
Last edited by Uncle Ginsters; 10th Jun 2011 at 11:41. Reason: spilleng
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At risk of upsetting some of the previous posters, I agree with UG. Let the route be what it is - I don't think Wootton Bassett ever chose to be on the previous repatriation route, but the residents paid the utmost respect to all corteges which passed through. Those who wish to pay their respects will still come, those who would pay their respects because it would be convenient may not make the effort. The dignity of the repatriation will still be preserved, maybe more so, if the route is not forced through a town (and thus forced to become a spectacle) unnecessarily.
It is misplaced outrage if the only motive is to become 'Royal' Carterton (with no disrespect meant towards Royal Wootton Bassett).
It is misplaced outrage if the only motive is to become 'Royal' Carterton (with no disrespect meant towards Royal Wootton Bassett).
The Politicos would, and have already, found some place else to poke their noses into and your lives in danger over. Unfortunately these days we seem to spend too much time and effort with the secondary role of the military - An extension of Political farce, rather than the primary role - Defence of the Nations shores!
I agree with many of the comments about it becoming a bit of a circus event, but anything other than the Main Gate is nothing but lack of respect. Its symbolic. Change the Market day, change the day of arrival, hell even build a new firkin road but show some official respect!
Shuffle the dead out the back - 'bout sums up this country AND most of its people!
Insha-Allah.
I agree with many of the comments about it becoming a bit of a circus event, but anything other than the Main Gate is nothing but lack of respect. Its symbolic. Change the Market day, change the day of arrival, hell even build a new firkin road but show some official respect!
Shuffle the dead out the back - 'bout sums up this country AND most of its people!
Insha-Allah.
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Guys, girls,
How about we all stop thinking about "us" and worry about "them" instead. The repatriation is for bringing our war dead home to their families in a dignified manner. We (and I mean the general population) see a band wagon driving past and jump on it because it seems like the right thing to do i.e. Be outraged at the route.
I certainly would not want any member of my family being paraded through the streets to appease peoples own guilt and feeling better for 5 minutes. Although the Armed Forces should be recognised for the sacrifice they make they do not need to be driven through the streets of a nearby town. I would want my family member to be home ASAP and with the least amount of fuss. Heroes deserve dignity in death not becoming a public spectacle.
If the outraged population want to show some respect then head to the National Arboretum or raise money for Help for Heroes or something similar. Throwing flowers on a passing can is, in my mind (and it is just my opinion) is pandering to the masses.
Just a thought, but, has anybody asked what the families would like rather than having decisions involving the masses being thrust upon them?
Just my tuppence worth.
HG
How about we all stop thinking about "us" and worry about "them" instead. The repatriation is for bringing our war dead home to their families in a dignified manner. We (and I mean the general population) see a band wagon driving past and jump on it because it seems like the right thing to do i.e. Be outraged at the route.
I certainly would not want any member of my family being paraded through the streets to appease peoples own guilt and feeling better for 5 minutes. Although the Armed Forces should be recognised for the sacrifice they make they do not need to be driven through the streets of a nearby town. I would want my family member to be home ASAP and with the least amount of fuss. Heroes deserve dignity in death not becoming a public spectacle.
If the outraged population want to show some respect then head to the National Arboretum or raise money for Help for Heroes or something similar. Throwing flowers on a passing can is, in my mind (and it is just my opinion) is pandering to the masses.
Just a thought, but, has anybody asked what the families would like rather than having decisions involving the masses being thrust upon them?
Just my tuppence worth.
HG
Last edited by heights good; 11th Jun 2011 at 18:01.
'Bassett was never chosen for anything, it simply is the only High street en-route to the mortuary. For me, that gatherings at Bassett became far too self concious very quickly, although I appreciate the sentiment of respect out of which they grew.
As has been stated, the important thing is that the families have a dignified repatration and reunion.
As has been stated, the important thing is that the families have a dignified repatration and reunion.
Respects will be paid whatever the route from Brize ! These will now be in addition to those already paid in Headington. The main concern is that the families, who have suffered and are still suffering, do not have any further grief inflicted upon them ! My own opinion is that the Press are in a "stirrring" mode.
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Re your post No.15
May I point out that the LAST year that no British Service Personnel were killed on Active Service was 1968.
Re your post No.15
May I point out that the LAST year that no British Service Personnel were killed on Active Service was 1968.
Last edited by cazatou; 12th Jun 2011 at 14:21.
If people wish to pay respect to persons being repatriated there is another occasions its called a "FUNERAL".
Any attempt to make routes to have a procession go through a town for the sake of going through a town so the media can get some pictures is telling families that their loved ones are ust part of a media circus.
Any attempt to make routes to have a procession go through a town for the sake of going through a town so the media can get some pictures is telling families that their loved ones are ust part of a media circus.
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War dead to be driven down side streets to avoid the public
Instead, they will arrive back to RAF Brize Norton, where they will be driven through the back gate and then down side roads, neatly avoiding the nearby town of Carterton, as they make their way to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.
Andrew Robathan, Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans, admitted that the decision to avoid public scenes of emotion had been taken deliberately.
Andrew Robathan, Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans, admitted that the decision to avoid public scenes of emotion had been taken deliberately.