I was asked to do a day shift for the Press Association last Friday. Not something I usually do, but that’s more ‘cos I don’t get asked than cos I don’t want to..I love chasing the news. Anyway. I was asked to go to Wootton Bassett, which is a small town/village near RAF Lyneham. The body of Major Sean Birchall was to be repatriated.
He was the most senior soldier killed in Afghanistan. RAF Lyneham is only just over half an hour away from me, and it was disturbing to realise how close the effects of the war in Afghanistan are. I’m sure I’m no different to most when I just sort of pretend it’s not really happening… Many people lined the streets to pay their respects to Major Birchall, including many, many war veterans.
Out of respect to the families, news crews and togs were not allowed to move once the procession arrived, so you had to choose your spot and stick with it, hoping it would be a good position. I was lucky…I took a chance on an upstairs window. I was able to get some strong pics which went out across all the UK national ‘papers.
There is a grab below, showing one of the pics that made the PA’s ‘5@5′…their best pics of the day. All I can say to that is that the rest of the pics of the day were pretty weak…but if shooting an interesting pic gets more coverage for the unnecessary death of a soldier, or anyone, then I’m all for it.
PA 5@5 Sean Birchall
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