The Report of the Iraq Inquiry

384. The Act also amended the Fatal Accidents and Sudden Deaths Inquiry (Scotland)

Act 1976, to provide for the Lord Advocate to investigate when such a notification had

been received.253

385. The MOD’s policy on the repatriation of the dead was set out in a paper produced

by Lt Gen Palmer on 14 March 2003:

“Repatriation to UK of the dead is to take place wherever possible and as soon

as practicable.”254

386. Before Op TELIC, repatriations were conducted with very little or no formal

ceremony.255

387. The MOD put in place a unique arrangement for the repatriation of Service

Personnel who died during Op TELIC, known as Operation KEIR. The repatriation

ceremony under Op KEIR was designed to “demonstrate the highest level of respect”,

and included attendance by members of the Royal Family (or their representatives) and

Ministers, military pall‑bearers and a military band.

388. In his autobiography, General Sir Mike Jackson described attending a repatriation

ceremony in his capacity as Chief of the General Staff:

“We gathered before the aircraft landed, and were seated on the edge of the apron

outside the terminal building to watch the C‑17 aircraft land and taxi into position,

coming to a rest with the nose of the aircraft facing diagonally away from the

mourners. Then the ramp was lowered. A bearer party of six soldiers in parade dress

advanced and marched up the ramp to take the first coffin. As they came into view

down the ramp carrying the coffin, a band began playing and everyone stood. We all

saluted as the bearers marched past in slow time, carrying the coffin to the waiting

hearse. This simple, but profoundly moving, ceremony was repeated for each coffin

on board the aircraft.”256

389. Lt Gen Mans told the Inquiry that a repatriation ceremony could “help the bereaved

family to start closure on the whole process of losing a loved one”.257

253 Coroners and Justice Act 2009, Section 50.

254 Paper Palmer, 14 March 2003, ‘UK Forces: Repatriation of the Dead’.

255 Minute DDSP Pol O&M to PSO/CDS, 17 March 2004, ‘Policy for Repatriation of Deceased Personnel

from Overseas’.

256 Jackson M. Soldier: The autobiography of General Sir Mike Jackson, Bantam Press, 2007.

257 Public hearing, 19 July 2010, page 63.

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