October 2024 Newsletter
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- Posted on 30 Sep 2024
- 06 min read
The Final Turn – Sat 8 Apr 17
- Posted on 22 Mar 2017
- 04 min read
On Saturday 8th April 2017 at 1100hrs a ceremony is to be held to unveil a commemorative plaque next to the St. Anthony of Padua Church, 115 Headley Way, Oxford OX3 7SS, at The Final Turn. The plaque will be unveiled by the Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, Tim Stevenson OBE.All 457 military personnel who have died in recent conflicts were repatriated to The John Radcliffe Hospital, and on each occasion veterans gathered at St. Anthony of Padua Church to form a guard of honour on the road leading to the hospital entrance.
Brian Crossin, former RAF Police proposed a floral tribute be planted as a permanent memorial at the ‘Final Turn’ on land owned by the hospital. With their kind permission in October 2016 a team of volunteers planted 457 daffodil bulbs on the grassed area next to the Church.
Graham Whelan, Oxford PRA Branch Secretary, designed the memorial by using the features from his original wreath design that was used at repatriations. With his many contacts in the printing trade Graham organised the making of this alloy stainless steel plaque. The plaque and floral display will become a permanent memorial to the sacrifices our troops made in recent conflicts.
Parking restrictions have been lifted for the occasion but please arrive early for car parking as a large crowd is expected.
Tea/coffee will be available after the unveiling at RBL Marston, a few minutes away.
All are welcome to attend, please spread the word.
