No dry eyes during Afghanistan talk
JARRA Brown MBE, author of the book 46 Miles, who escorted 345 British servicemen and women on their final journey through the town of Royal Wootton Bassett, gave an “emotional talk” at The Black Olive Cafe in Alsancak on Monday.
The event was organised by the Anglo Turkish Association of Northern Cyprus (ATA). Following a meal, guests “sat in the evening darkness and listened for a bell to toll” to signal the start of Mr Brown’s talk about his role in the repatriation of the British servicemen and women who lost their lives in Afghanistan.
“There was not a dry eye left by the time Jarra finished his enthralling and spell-binding recollections of the important role he played in helping those who had given their life for the benefit of others to receive some dignity and respect on the final 46 miles of their journey,” the ATA said.
“Never can a story about one flag-draped coffin after another after another capture the imagination of its audience unless it is told by the person at the very heart of the story. That person was Jarra Brown and his story, told in his book 46 Miles, is nothing less than unbelievable.”
ATA member Ahea Hannan said: “l have cried, laughed, been put through a tumble dryer of emotions tonight, but above all else feel as if I have walked those 46 miles myself.”
Following his talk, Debbie Bird of the ATA presented Mr Brown with a “sizeable donation” on behalf of the ATA to be given to the charity Scotty’s Little Soldiers, which “assists the children who have lost a parent whilst on active service with the British Forces”. A collection among the audience “swelled this donation even further”.
ATA chairman Philip Lloyd thanked Mr Brown for his talk, which he said “will live long in everyone’s memory”.