Ukraine Air Disaster

Like millions of others worldwide, I have been deeply shocked by the pictures on television of the catastrophic air disaster over eastern Ukraine last Thursday 17th July, involving the apparent shooting down by one or more surface to air missiles, of the Malaysian Airways Boeing 777 passenger aircraft flight number MH17 with the total loss of all 298 innocent passengers and crew including 80 children.

I would like to add my personal condolences to all the many tributes posted on the Internet to the families and friends of those, of whatever nationality, who perished in such unimaginable circumstances.

Such an evil act must not go unpunished by whomsoever was responsible for this appalling act of treachery. The vast family of law abiding and free nations must pull together to establish the full truth of what happened and to hold the guilty to account.

To the deceased, may their souls rest in peace, and to their families and friends, may you find some strength from the knowledge that millions of people worldwide share your grief and sorrow.

Drummer Lee Rigby - A Fallen Valiant Soldier

Drummer Lee Rigby, 25, from the 2nd Battalion, Royal Regiment of Fusiliers

Our Prime Minister, The Rt. Hon. David Cameron, MP, speaking in Downing Street on Thursday morning,  said there was "absolutely no justification" for the callous execution of this young off-duty soldier on the streets of London, which is believed to have been carried out by Islamist extremists.

"What happened yesterday in Woolwich has sickened us all. On our televisions last night and in our newspapers this morning we have all seen images that are deeply shocking. The people who did this were trying to divide us. They should know something like this will only bring us together and make us stronger," he said.

US President Barack Obama condemned the "horrific" attack and promised to "stand resolute" with the UK in the face of terrorism.

In a statement, the President said: "I condemn in the strongest terms the appalling attack against a British service member in Woolwich on 22 May. The United States stands resolute with the United Kingdom, our ally and friend, against violent extremism and terror.

"There can be absolutely no justification for such acts, and our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the victim, the police and security services responding to this horrific act and the communities they serve, and the British people."

The Day Pure Evil Visited Newtown, Connecticut

The love, thoughts and prayers of many families in Great Britian are with all those families in the United States of America who have suffered the most catastrophic act of pure evil inflicted upon the country in recent history.

To those citizens of Newtown, Connecticut, and especially to the families of those directly involved at Sandy Hook Elementary School, we unreservedly offer you our deepest sympathy. We trust our Heavenly Father will give each and every one of you the courage and strength to bear your incomprehensible grief with stoicism.  Also, with determination to ensure that no such similar act of barbarism should ever be inflicted upon another family in USA, or any other country in the world.

We, in the United Kingdom, suffered an almost identical act of mass murder of primary school children and their teachers in the Dunblane, Scotland, massacre of March 13th. 1996, so we can fully empathize with your grief and sorrow.

May God bless you and comfort you today and always.

My Condolences to the People of Norway

Following the terrible news of the atrocities committed in Norway this past weekend I wish to extend my deepest sympathies to the families, friends and all the citizens of Norway at this time of extreme grief and distress. I am deeply saddened at the extent of the massacre of all those lovely young people. I watched the account on television by one of the survivors, Adrian Pracon, and was greatly impressed by his stoicism in the face of such a terrible experience.

How someone could become so crazed, evil and warped to perpetrate such a horrific crime is beyond human comprehension. I hope it will serve to help the people of Norway to know that many people in other nations feel for them greatly at this sad time and will be remembering them in thoughts and prayers in the coming days and weeks.

Tribute to Constable Bill Barker of Cumbria Police

Cumbrian police have confirmed that the body found on a beach on the county's west coast is that of 44-year-old Pc Bill Barker, who was swept away by torrential floods early this morning. Resisdents of the village of Cockermouth are seen being rescued from their homes by members of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and the R.A.F Rescue Helicopters.

A man was rescued in Cockermouth in Cumbria after torrential rain caused rivers to burst their banks. Almost 15 inches of rain fell in 36 hours non-stop.

Cumbria Police chief constable Craig Mackey said: "It is with deep sadness that I can confirm that the body found on a beach at Allonby this afternoon is that of our friend and colleague Pc Bill Barker."

Father-of-four Pc Barker had worked for the force for 25 years as a traffic policeman and family liaison officer looking after bereaved families. Now, the day before they were due to celebrate his 45th birthday, his family are now mourning his loss.
"Pc Bill Barker, who has served the communities of Cumbria with the Constabulary for 25 years and currently works as a Roads Policing officer in Workington. He was directing motorists off the bridge, saving lives, when the tragic incident occurred," ACC Graham said.

"He is a valued colleague and friend of many officers and staff within the constabulary - and to those in West Cumbria where he lives and serves."

More than 250mm (9.8 inches) of rain fell in little over 24 hours in the area, causing the Rivers Derwent and Cocker to burst their banks.

Four bridges have now collapsed, main roads are blocked, schools are closed and more than 200 people have been forced to leave their homes in nearby Cockermouth overnight after the deluge struck.

PC Barker disappeared after Northside bridge, one of the main routes into Workington, collapsed in the early hours of this morning.

RNLI lifeboat operations manager Captain Brian Ashbridge said: "There is a massive current coming down through the Derwent so, although the sea isn't very rough, conditions for the RNLI volunteers searching in the river basin have been very challenging.

"It's absolutely horrendous. There is a huge amount of debris around in the water at the moment as well, which adds to the difficulties."

Hilary Benn, the Environment Secretary, said the downpour may have resulted in "the wettest day ever recorded" in famously rainy Cumbria.

He claimed the resulting flood in worst-hit town Cockermouth was "a one in a thousand year" occurence which could not have been prevented by the town's flood defences.

Police and fire services, the RNLI and RAF staff worked throughout the night, using lifeboats and wading chest-deep in water to rescue residents trapped in their homes in Cockermouth, Workington and Keswick. One worker finishing his shift this morning described the scene as close to "armageddon".

In Cockermouth, a tourist attraction because it is the birthplace of William Wordsworth but also a historic flooding hotspot because it sits between the rivers Cocker and Derwent, around 1,000 properties were thought to have been flooded and 50 people had to be airlifted to safety by helicopter.

A lifeboat commander told The Times that firemen had to break into a bank on Main Street to rescue two women trapped inside by flood waters of up to eight feet.

"There was a massive torrent going past the front of the building and they were on the first floor behind barred windows, said Sarah Nimmo-Scott, deputy divisional commander in the RNLI.

"In the end we had to get the fire brigade to basically break into Barclays Bank and they we shipped them out."

Gwenda Davies said was staying at a friend's home and both were trapped in upstairs. She described a "raging torrent" around six feet high in the lane outside the house.

"The water is now up to the downstairs ceiling and I can hear the furniture downstairs knocking on the ceiling," she said by phone. "The River Cocker is apparently one of the fastest flowing in the country apparently and we certainly know it now."

Tony Cunningham, MP for Workington, suggested the flood was “of biblical proportions” to be able to take down the Northside Bridge.

“I went down to the bridge last night and I’ve never seen the River Derwent as wide as it was," he said. “The force of the river was absolutely incredible. This is a stone bridge, to wash away a bridge of that size and dimension is incredible.”

The Army has now been called out to help the civilian emergency services to rescue people still trapped in their homes and begin to clean up as the water levels abate.

Mr Benn, who is in Cockermouth, said the while flood defences there had been strengthened recently, they were only built to withstand a "one-in-100-years flood".

"What we dealt with last night was probably more like one-in-a-1,000, so even the very best defences, if you have such quantities of rain in such a short space of time, can be over-topped," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

Gordon Brown, the Prime Minister, contacted the chief constable of Cumbria Police to offer any Government assistance he needs.

"Our thoughts are with all those who have been impacted by these floods and our thanks go out to the emergency services who continue in their extraordinary efforts to help the people affected," he said.

Flooding has also been reported in Cork where the River Lee has burst its banks, and there were reports that a family of five including an 87-year-old woman had to be airlifted to safety from their home in the early hours of the morning.

Flooding was also reported in north-west Wales and in Dumfries and Galloway in Scotland, and the inclement weather caused widespread distruption on trains and roads around the country as well as at sea, where gale force seven winds raged.

The Environment Agency Floodline service has received more than 12,000 calls from members of the public over the last 48 hours and issued more than 43,000 flood alerts via phone, text, email and fax.

It currently has six severe flood warnings in place - all in Cumbria - 29 flood warnings, and 65 less serious flood watches.

Julian Mayes, a forecaster with MeteoGroup UK, the weather division of the Press Association, said the rainfall in Cumbria was an "historical event".

Mr Mayes said the levels of rain were equivalent to five or six months of rainfall typically experienced over London and the south east of England.

"The fact that there's eight feet of water in some places is not that surprising," he said.

"Primarily, it's the sheer quantity in the last 36 hours that has caused the flooding.

"But in November the ground is saturated. The rain can't get into the soil, it just runs off.

"That means rivers rise very quickly and suddenly."

We WILL remember them!

The average British soldier is 19 years old…..he is a short haired, well built lad who, under normal circumstances is considered by society as half man, half boy. Not yet dry behind the ears and just old enough to buy a round of drinks but old enough to die for his country – and for you and for me. He’s not particularly keen on hard work but he’d rather be grafting in Afghanistan than unemployed in the UK . He recently left comprehensive school where he was probably an average student, played some form of sport, drove a ten year old rust bucket, and knew a girl that either broke up with him when he left, or swore to be waiting when he returns home. He moves easily to rock and roll or hip-hop or to the rattle of a 7.62mm machine gun.

He is about a stone lighter than when he left home because he is working or fighting from dawn to dusk and well beyond. He has trouble spelling, so letter writing is a pain for him, but he can strip a rifle in 25 seconds and reassemble it in the dark. He can recite every detail of a machine gun or grenade launcher and use either effectively if he has to. He digs trenches and latrines without the aid of machines and can apply first aid like a professional paramedic. He can march until he is told to stop, or stay dead still until he is told to move.

He obeys orders instantly and without hesitation but he is not without a rebellious spirit or a sense of personal dignity. He is confidently self-sufficient. He has two sets of uniform with him: he washes one and wears the other. He keeps his water bottle full and his feet dry. He sometimes forgets to brush his teeth, but never forgets to clean his rifle. He can cook his own meals, mend his own clothes and fix his own hurts. If you are thirsty, he'll share his water with you; if you are hungry, his food is your food. He'll even share his life-saving ammunition with you in the heat of a firefight if you run low.

He has learned to use his hands like weapons and regards his weapon as an extension of his own hands. He can save your life or he can take it, because that is his job - it's what a soldier does. He often works twice as long and hard as a civilian, draw half the pay and have nowhere to spend it, and can still find black ironic humour in it all. There's an old saying in the British Army: 'If you can't take a joke, you shouldn't have joined!'



He has seen more suffering and death than he should have in his short lifetime. He has wept in public and in private, for friends who have fallen in combat and he is unashamed to show it or admit it. He feels every bugle note of the 'Last Post' or 'Sunset' vibrate through his body while standing rigidly to attention. He's not afraid to 'Bollock' anyone who shows disrespect when the Regimental Colours are on display or the National Anthem is played; yet in an odd twist, he would defend anyone's right to be an individual. Just as with generations of young people before him, he is paying the price for our freedom. Clean shaven and baby faced he may be, but be prepared to defend yourself if you treat him like a kid.

He is the latest in a long thin line of British Fighting Men that have kept this country free for hundreds of years. He asks for nothing from us except our respect, friendship and understanding. We may not like what he does, but sometimes he doesn't like it either - he just has it to do.. Remember him always, for he has earned our respect and admiration with his blood.

And now we even have brave young women putting themselves in harm's way, doing their part in this tradition of going to war when our nation's politicians call on us to do so.

The Sad Loss of Dear Friends

In recent days I have been greatly saddened at the loss of three close friends of mine. Although two had achieved a relatively great age, one died suddenly and unexpectedly whilst at his place of work. He was only 51 and leaves behind an even younger widow and a thirteen year old son. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of them all. I am upset that I shall be unable to attend the funeral of my young friend as I shall be abroad at the time of the service. I have paid my respects to the family and they fully understand and do not wish for me to change my longstanding plans.

I am most grateful to my Californian friend Dean Eddy for sending me a copy of this beautiful painting appropriately called Clinging to the Cross. Unfortunately,I do not know the name of the brilliant artist to give credit here.

We never want to let go of our loved ones but we know we must. To Cliff, Doris and Keith. Thanks for all the happy memories. I shall certainly miss you and promise never to forget you my beloved friends. Until we meet again in God's Heavenly Kingdom may your souls rest in peace and rise in Glory.

Lest we forget!

Yesterday, Wednesday, two Royal Marines from my city of Plymouth were killed in the Garsir district of Helmand Province, Afghanistan, whilst on a joint patrol with Afghan security forces. They were killed when their vehicle was hit by an IED (improvised explosive device).

The Ministry of Defence have today named the Royal Marines as Robert McKibben, aged 36 years, from County Mayo, Northern Ireland and Neil Dunstan, aged 32 years, from Bournemouth. They were serving with the UK Landing Force Command Support Group from 3 Commando Brigade (whose home base is Stonehouse Barracks here in Plymouth) as part of the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force.

Last Sunday and on Tuesday of this week both RM McKibben and RM Dunstan joined colleagues in Remembrance Day and Armistice Day services on the front line little knowing what fate would befall them so soon afterwards.

Their deaths bring the total number of UK service personnel killed in Afghanistan to 124 and when combined with those lost in Iraq the UK total now stands at 300.

The City of Plymouth once again finds itself in a state of stunned shock at the loss of its brave servicemen. For my part I wish to send my sincere condolences and deepest sympathy to their family and friends. Whilst deeply saddened at such tragic loss I am nevertheless extremely proud of their dedication and commitment.

We, as a nation, owe a great debt of gratitude to each and every member of our armed forces who daily put their lives on the line in various conflict zones to defend our freedom, liberty and, above all else, our security.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them!

May They Rest in Peace and Rise in Glory

I am posting this tribute to honour four of our fallen heroes who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the service of the British Crown in Afghanistan on Tuesday, 17th. June when an IED (improvised explosive device) was detonated and destroyed their vehicle and claimed their lives. The funerals are about to take place of Sean Reeve, nephew of my friend Annette, and also of Corporal Sarah Bryant, Lance Corporal Richard Larkin and Corporal Paul Stout. I am reminded of those immortal words written on tombstones in almost every war graves cemetery;

When you go home tell them of us. For your tomorrow, we gave our today

And now a reading from Holy Scripture;

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going"

"I am the way and the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know Him and have seen Him."

John 14: 1-4, 6-7 (NIV)

At the going down of the sun and in the morning we WILL remember them!

NB. A link to Annette's blog can be located in My List of Favourite Blogs to the left of this posting.

Michael Todd, QPM, B.Sc(Hons) M.Phil.

It was with great sadness that I learned, last evening, of the tragic news and disbelief of the sudden death and mysterious circumstances surrounding the alleged suicide of Mr. Todd, Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police. He was an inspirational police leader who instilled confidence and respect in the police service in general but Greater Manchester in particular. That integrity spread beyond the police service itself and into the wider general public which is an achievement many senior officers aim for but few succeed to secure. He was a "copper's copper" in every sense of the word and his ability and skills as an outstanding chief constable will be sorely missed by GMP, ACPO, the Home Office and the police service as a whole.

I am unaware of the reasons for the imbalance of his mind which may have resulted in his decision to take his own life despite a lot of speculation currently permeating on the internet. Whatever his reasons it is still a tremendous tragedy and I cannot help but feel for his family and friends. I know he has a wife and 3 young children and to them I pray for God's blessing in these days of traumatic grief.

The country needs more leaders of Mr. Todd's calibre and whatever his personal problems were I cannot believe they warranted the termination of his life so abruptly and tragically. A sad loss to his family and also to the police service as a whole.

The Virginia Tech Massacre

I would like to express my deepest sympathy to the families and friends of the victims of the Virginia Tech massacre. Suitable words are difficult to summon in such tragic circumstances. However, may it comfort all Americans to know that there are those of us overseas who are remembering you in our prayers at this very sad time. I have no intention of joining in the current internet debate about the politics of your gun culture or about the apparent short comings of the authorities in not taking earlier pre-emptive action. That is a matter for your own internal debate at some later date. For now it is a period of deep mourning for those who have lost their lives in such a needless and pointless act of barbarity, at yet another seat of learning where peace and tranquillity should always reign supreme. With the daily carnage being reported in Iraq and elsewhere in the world we can well do without this form of homegrown terrorism. May God bless America and spare Her any more catastrophic events of this terrible nature.