Candlelit vigil for British blast victims
After an exhausting day of public memorials, the families of the British victims killed in the Bali bombing gathered tonight for an intimate candlelit ceremony.
The family and friends who travelled to the Indonesian island for the first year anniversary gathered in the garden of the Bali Dynasty Hotel to remember their loved ones.
The informal meeting was timed to coincide with the official memorial service being held in London.
At 1.30am local time (18:30GMT) Reverend Andrew Lake invited the mourners to step forward and honour those who were lost in last October’s attack.
A candle for each British victim was lit and photographs of their smiling faces were illuminated.
Nicole Perkins, 18, from Sheffield, who lost her sister Natalie, spoke movingly about her cousin Laura France, also 18.
Miss France was travelling round the world with 20-year-old Natalie when they were both caught in the blast.
Struggling through the tribute, and supported by her father Tony, Nicole said: “Laura was kind, loving, and funny and had the craziest laugh.
“We were always so proud of her and her smile, beauty and precious memories will remain in our lives for ever.”
Ron Cooper, the brother-in-law of Paul Hussey, who was killed in the bombing, spoke of a “sweet and caring man.”
He said: “We are a very close family and have been helped in our grief by the many tributes and kind words we have received from people who became his friends all over the world.”
The tribute for Christian Redman, a 30-year-old ex-Army man who travelled to Bali with the Singapore rugby team, was read by one of his two brothers.
“Christian lived life to the full,” he said. “He was kind and one of life’s givers.”
As he finished his eulogy, Mr Redman’s brother was supported by the rest of his family, including his parents John and Jean, and sister Isabel Martinson.
After all 28 candles were lit, the families paused for final reflection.
