Crash rider’s widow issues plea for motorbike cortege funeral tribute

The widow of an RAF Lossiemouth corporal who died in a road crash is hoping to organise a motorcycle cortege to accompany her husband on his final journey.

Corporal David Thorne was involved in a crash on the A96 near Huntly while riding his Honda VFR bike on March 5.

The 43-year-old, who was described as a “highly valued” aircraft technician, was married with three children and two grandchildren.

Wife Michelle is now asking for motorcyclists to escort her late husband at his funeral.

Her call has been shared by one of David’s friends on Facebook to honour “a much-loved member of the biking fraternity”.

The post starts by “calling all bikers” to take part in David’s goodbye.

It continues: “Michelle, Dave’s wife, has asked for a bike cortege to escort him from WG Catto Funeral Parlour, Linkwood Road in Elgin, to Buckie Crematorium on Wednesday March 27, leaving at 1.15pm for the service at 2.30pm.

“There will be a wake after in the Elgin Ex Servicemen’s Club.

“Please try to make the ride and show our unity for a much-loved member of the biking fraternity.

“Let’s make Michelle and the family proud.”

A moving tribute from RAF Lossiemouth described Cpl Thorne as a “highly valued” aircraft technician “who achieved a lot during his RAF career”.

Originally from Cwmbran in Wales, he served in the RAF for 26 years and had recently been offered a promotion to sergeant thanks to his “professionalism, leadership and ability”.

The aircraft technician served on five overseas operations, completing two tours on Operation Herrick in Afghanistan, two tours on Operation Shader in Cyprus, and one deployment to the Falkland Islands.

A statement from RAF Lossiemouth said: “While the RAF will deeply mourn his passing, the thoughts of everyone at RAF Lossiemouth are firmly with his wife Michelle, his mother Sally, his father Graham, his children Aaron, Katy and Ash, and his grandchildren Lauren and Miles.”

Corporal David Thorne.