“A DEBT of honour.” That is why former servicemen say they turn out, week after week, to line the streets as the bodies of service personnel killed in Afghanistan are repatriated to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.

More than 200 people were invited to a reception at the Town Hall yesterday to thank them for showing support to those who have died in Afghanistan.

They ranged from members of the Royal British Legion and police officers to members of the public who attend each of the repatriations.

Former RAF serviceman Mike Richardson, the standard-bearer for the Kidlington Royal British Legion branch, said: “I think we owe these chaps a debt of honour, and I think it’s an honour that we turn out and see these poor chaps coming home. I hope that perhaps their families realise that they haven’t lost someone for nothing.”

Despite having attended 68 repatriations, Mr Richardson, 72, said each one still affected him.

He said: “It’s always very emotional to see these lads coming back. They’re mainly just lads in the prime of their life.”

Peter Kay, 76, a former Royal Engineer from Kidlington, said: “If we can’t do this and spend a few hours to receive the casualties, then it’s a poor show. We make the effort, hail, rain or snow.”

Pc Steve Jenkins has escorted between 15 and 20 corteges to the Headington hospital in his role as a traffic officer.

He said: “It’s a very humbling experience. It’s my way of being able to pay respects to the service personnel who have fought on our behalf. It’s amazing the amount of people, of all different ages, who come out to pay their respects.”

Corporal Dave Paintin, 45, from Greater Leys, Oxford, is a soldier in 29 Regiment of the Royal Logistic Corps, based near Cirencester, and a Royal British Legion case worker for Oxford.

Last year he spent seven months on a tour of duty in Afghanistan.

He said: “When I was in Afghanistan we were putting bodies on the planes in Kandahar, but seeing what happens back here really brings home the support there is. You can’t thank people enough.

“Sometimes, as soldiers, we think we get forgotten about, but that isn’t the case.”

The event was organised by Oxford’s Lord Mayor Mary Clarkson, after being suggested by Blackbird Leys councillor Rae Humberstone.

Mrs Clarkson said: “I have attended a number of the repatriations myself. When I first turned up, I never expected it to become an almost weekly occurrence.

“I’m sure there will be a last time, but it doesn’t seem we’re close to that now, very sadly.”

fbardsley@oxfordmail.co.uk