MEMBERS of the public and the Royal British Legion stood with bowed heads and dipped standards as a cortege bearing the body of Corporal David Barnsdale passed along Headley Way, Oxford, yesterday, on its way to the John Radcliffe Hospital for his post mortem examination.

Corp Barnsdale, 24, from Tring, in Hertfordshire, was serving with 33 Engineer Regiment (Explosive Ordnance) when he was killed in an explosion on October 19 while clearing improvised explosive devices in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

  • Yesterday also saw the official launch of the Legion’s 90th annual Poppy Appeal.

This year, it is hoping to collect £36m, up from a record £35m raised in 2009. People wishing to buy a poppy can do so until November 11.

Main picture: Denis Kennedy