On Thursday, 6th November 2008 the Garden of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey was formally opened by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh by planting the first Cross of Remembrance.  This was followed by the Last Post, 2-minutes silence and Reveille.  HRH then reviewed all the plots and spent nearly an hour doing so.
 
For what is believed to be the first time, the RAF Police and RAF Police Association were reperesented at this national Remberance event with Gp Capt John Whitmell RAF, Gp Capt (Ret'd) Peter Clark and WO Bill Veazey MBE attending in respective uniform.  Between the 3 of us we were able to 'take over' a corner of the RAF plot and placed a large cross with RAF Police crest attached.  3 Remembrance Crosses were then planted: the first in memory of Cpl 'Shep' Shepherd, who died whilst serving on Op TELIC in 2003; the second to remember all RAF Police who have fallen; and the third for the RAF Police Association.
 
The Garden of Remembrance is open until the evening of Thursday 13th November.  The RAF Police area is within plot 245 which is located just in front of St Margret's Church.
 
WO Bill Veazey