Pilgrimage for soldier killed in Iraq horror

Lance Corporal Ben Hyde, was a 23-year-old member of the Royal Military Police (RMP) helping train the local Iraqi police service and was one of six killed during an attack at a police station in Al Majar al Kabir on June 24, 2003.

His grave, in Northallerton’s town cemetery, was visited by the Army’s Deputy Provost Marshal, Colonel Dudley Giles, who retires in March next year and is making a personal pilgrimage by bicycle to the places of remembrance of the 22 members of the Royal Military Police killed during his army service.

He plans to have cycled more than 2,000 miles across Britain before he finishes next month.

“I can remember the sense of disbelief and overwhelming sadness which overcame all members of the Royal Military Police when we heard the news of the murder of six of our colleagues in Iraq,” Col Giles said.

“That was followed, only two months later, by the news of three more military policemen being gunned down in Basra.

“We are a very small, tight-knit, regimental family.

“These deaths, and all of the subsequent deaths which befell our military police men and women in Iraq and Afghanistan, have hit us hard.

“This is particularly because, as policemen, we also have to investigate these deaths.”

During his ride, Col Giles has met members of the fallen soldiers’ families and has joined in short ceremonies of remembrance held at each venue by serving and retired members of the RMP.

A number of fund-raising activities are also planned to be undertaken by RMP personnel world-wide to boost their benevolent fund.

Col Giles set off from Brackley, Northamptonshire, last week, and finishes his pilgrimage in Colchester, Essex, on October 21.