It was with great sadness that the Bermuda Regiment announced the death of Major Christian (Chris) Wheddon as the result of a road traffic accident in the United Kingdom on Sunday 9th September 2012. Chris was in the UK conducting command specific training to prepare him for consideration as the Regiment’s next Commanding Officer and was en route to an attachment with the 2nd Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment when he was killed.

Chris was born in Bermuda on 1st April 1969 and joined the Bermuda Regiment in October 1987. Passing Recruit Camp, he was selected for and passed the Junior Non-Commissioned Officers Cadre and promoted to Lance Corporal. In 1990, he attended university in the UK and was a member of the Glasgow and Salford University Officer Training Corps. On return to Bermuda, his service in UK was recognized and he was awarded a commission in the Bermuda Regiment and promoted to Second Lieutenant. Chris served in a variety of locations during his time with the Regiment, including Jamaica, North Carolina and the UK. He undertook operational deployments to the Cayman Islands and Grenada as part of the hurricane relief efforts and also commanded the Regiment’s support to the security of the Cricket World Cup in Barbados in 2007.

Whilst serving as a part-time member of the Regiment, Chris joined the Bermuda Police Service in 1997, rising to the rank of Sergeant. Chris was, however, in his heart ‘Army barmy’. His ambition of full time service was realized when he was selected as the Adjutant of the Regiment in 2004. On completion of his tour, he moved to become the ADC to His Excellency, The Governor of Bermuda. During this time, he organized the visit of Her Majesty The Queen to the island and spent many hours fine tuning the precise detail to deliver a flawless visit. After his time as ADC and a period as the Officer Commanding Support Company, Chris was offered the opportunity to spend a period of time in the UK undertaking courses and attachments as part of a specific command training package. Chris relished this opportunity and threw himself whole-heartedly into every facet of his time in UK. He attended the Reserves Advanced Command and Staff Course at Shrivenham. It was no surprise to those who knew him that he passed out in the top third with a glowing course report. This was followed with an attachment to 2nd Battalion, The Royal Welsh Regiment and duties on Op OLYMPICS. I think it is fair to say that this was the most enjoyable time Chris had in uniform and was very much the highlight of his military career thus far. I was immensely fortunate to have the opportunity to talk to Chris two days before he sadly lost his life. His enthusiasm was palpable and his zeal for his forthcoming attachment to the Poachers was evident. He, quite simply, was in his element and loving every minute.

Chris was well known to many Royal Anglians, both past and present. He leaves his parents, brothers Mark and Julian and sister Kim. His abiding passion was for all things military but his one true love was his daughter, Katherine. His family, friends and the Regiment were all humbled but deeply grateful for the outpouring of tributes that came from far and wide following the announcement of his death. Chris was buried with full military honours in Bermuda. His remembrance service filled Hamilton Cathedral, with the crowd spilling onto the streets outside. I know Chris would have taken wry pleasure at, effectively, bringing the island to a halt.

Chris was a friend to so many that it is almost impossible to take stock of all the tributes. I do think, however, that one of the simplest tributes summed up Chris: ‘He was decent, kind and honest. He was just a thoroughly good bloke’.

JDC