STEWART and Alison Fleming, from Crediton, attended a service of rededication at the National Memorial Arboretum (NMA), Staffordshire on Saturday, September 2, at the invitation of the Master of Signals, Lieutenant General Nick Pope CBE.

Stewart and Alison said they were honoured to have been invited.

Stewart explained: “We were guests of our late son Jamie’s Corps, the Royal Corps of Signals.

“My father, Jamie’s grandfather, and I both served with the Corps.  My father served at the end of World War Two in 4 Armoured Brigade, amazingly, Jamie served with the descendant unit, 4 Mechanised Brigade in Afghanistan.

“Both units had the famous ‘desert rat’ as a unit insignia.

“The rededication was attended by Regular, Reserve and Retired members of the Corps.  As Lt.Gen. Pope added in his invite, ‘We as the Corps would very much like you to be at the forefront of this service of reflection and rededication’.

“My wife, Alison had been in contact with another bereaved mother, Jeanie. We met up with her to give her support on a difficult day for all.  Upon arrival we were met in the reception of the NMA by a uniformed member of the Corps who accompanied us to the VIP and guests lounge.  We had coffee and chatted to the Master of Signals, other officers and guests.

“We then walked to the Corps Memorial (The Jimmy) with a military escort, the route was lined by soldiers of the Corps.  Royal Signals Association flag bearers from various branches were situated around the ‘Jimmy’.  It was a beautiful sunny day for the event.

“The ceremony was conducted by a Corps Chaplain.   The band of the Gurkha Signals accompanied the hymns and National Anthem.  The act of remembrance was read out by WO1 (RSM) Paul Kemp, this was followed by the last post. 

“The laying of the wreaths took place for guests, VIP’s and others.  After the wreath laying a lone piper played the ‘Black Bear’ – it was obvious that this moved a lot people.  After the National Anthem was played we had an escort to the Armed Forces Memorial.  Afterwards refreshments were served in a large marquee.”

Mr Fleming explained that although Jamie’s military career was cut short, he had a distinguished one.

He explained: “As Jamie’s former Commanding Officer Colonel Mark Purves said, ‘Jamie lived life to the full and crammed so much into his short career; it would take others a full career to achieve. He was a talented soldier for his young age’.”

Mr Fleming said that every year since Jamie’s death the family has held a barbecue on or near his birthday, each year the number of people attending growing – 56 attending this year.

He added that some of Jamie’s close Army friends always attend.

“They impart stories of Jamie that we never knew about, and it is always good to catch up with his friends.

“We would like to say a very special ‘thank you’ to Sue from ‘Four Seasons’.  Once again she did our family proud with the stunning bespoke wreath she made for us.”

Lance Corporal Jamie Fleming, from Spinning Path Gardens, Crediton, spent four-and-a-half years in the Army, in the Royal Signals based in Brawdy, Pembrokeshire. He died, aged 21 years, following a road accident on Good Friday in 2014 on the A487 Felindre Farchog to Cardigan Road.

Alan Quick