MILITARY veterans covered almost 2,500 miles in six days — from Whitley Bay to Buckland Monachorum — for the Falklands Ride to Respect 2020.

Paul Moore, Charlie McColgan (both 9 Para Sqn RE), and Tony McKie (1 Para) rode around the UK by motorbike visiting the gravesites and memorials of men of who lost their lives in the Falklands War of 1982, joining local veterans in each area they visited. The ride was organised by the Airborne Forces Riders group which was formed in 2014 and is an association of veterans and serving solders.

On August 5, the veterans met at Buckland Monachorum where they held a small service around the commonwealth grave of Cpl Jeremy Smith RM who was 23-years-old when he died.

They were joined by retired service personnel from 2 Para, Scots Guards, Welsh Guards, Royal Marines, Royal Navy, Royal Engineers, Royal Signals, Gurkha Rifles, Army Catering Corp, Royal Army Medical Corp and Army Air Corp.

A good selection of more than 30 people were around the grave with some residents and parish councillors when the Last Post and Reveille were played by a bugler followed by a minute’s silence.

Twenty-four motorbikes then left Buckland Monachorum for Weston Mill Cemetery.

One rider said: ‘We are doing this ride to demonstrate that these men are not forgotten, to pay our respects to each one and their families, and to raise funds for the South Atlantic Medal Association who continue to support veterans of the Falklands War and most importantly, the families who have lost loved ones.’