Thread: Norman Kember

Kelly · 23-03-2006, 09:52 AM

British hostage Norman Kember and two colleagues have been freed in Iraq.

Foreign Secretary Jack Straw confirmed his release to the BBC and said he had already spoken to Mr Kember's wife Pat.
Mr Straw said the 74-year-old grandfather, from Pinner, north west London, had been freed in a military operation involving British and other forces.
Mr Kember, a former medical physicist at a teaching hospital, was taken hostage before Christmas with three fellow peace campaigners.
He was visiting the country with Christian Peacemaker Teams, a Canada-based international peace group.
The other men were Canadians James Loney, 41, and Harmeet Singh Sooden, 32, and an American, Tom Fox, 54.
Mr Fox was found shot dead in Baghdad earlier this month in the affluent Mansour district.
His body was found near a west Baghdad railway line with gunshots to his head and chest, Iraqi police said. He was the fifth American hostage killed in Iraq.
At least 250 foreigners have been kidnapped in the nearly three years since US-led forces invaded Iraq, and at least 40 have been killed.

This is fantastic news im so very very pleased, as i thought there would be no way we would ever see this man again.
Thank god

Kelly

mollie · 23-03-2006, 10:07 AM

Thats brilliant news........we all had him as murdered. So glad he is safe

Veldixena · 23-03-2006, 11:26 AM

That is a really great piece of news

happydays · 23-03-2006, 11:45 AM

thank god kel , great news babe xxxx

nanna · 23-03-2006, 09:30 PM

Now that is the kind of New's I like.

Nanna xx

mollie · 25-03-2006, 08:44 AM

Seems Mr Kember didn't want any military intervention over his captivity. A lady who is with the same organisation as Mr Kember said they do not welcome attempts to rescue captives. No statement has been recieved thanking the military for rescueing him, also the 2 Canadians who were held hostage and freed have been strangely quiet over the matter as well.

This story has been all over the news this morning

petal · 25-03-2006, 11:31 AM

On my local home town website there's been quite a debate going on about this and the fact that people such as Normal Kember would have been better to stay away from the area while there is conflict. They not only put themselves at risk but also raise the profile of others there trying to do their job. There was also some mention of this gentlemen not saying 'Thankyou' to the soldiers who put themselves at great risk for his safety.
I think the situation out there needs a lot more understanding before anyone ventures out there even with the best intentions.
Thats not to say we're not thankful he is alive and safe but this is not the first of these situations and surely there's a lesson to be learned.

23-03-2006, 09:52 AM	#1 (permalink)
Kelly Ancestry Aid Owner Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: UK - England Posts: 1,675	Norman Kember British hostage Norman Kember and two colleagues have been freed in Iraq. Foreign Secretary Jack Straw confirmed his release to the BBC and said he had already spoken to Mr Kember's wife Pat. Mr Straw said the 74-year-old grandfather, from Pinner, north west London, had been freed in a military operation involving British and other forces. Mr Kember, a former medical physicist at a teaching hospital, was taken hostage before Christmas with three fellow peace campaigners. He was visiting the country with Christian Peacemaker Teams, a Canada-based international peace group. The other men were Canadians James Loney, 41, and Harmeet Singh Sooden, 32, and an American, Tom Fox, 54. Mr Fox was found shot dead in Baghdad earlier this month in the affluent Mansour district. His body was found near a west Baghdad railway line with gunshots to his head and chest, Iraqi police said. He was the fifth American hostage killed in Iraq. At least 250 foreigners have been kidnapped in the nearly three years since US-led forces invaded Iraq, and at least 40 have been killed. This is fantastic news im so very very pleased, as i thought there would be no way we would ever see this man again. Thank god Kelly
	Kelly Ancestry Aid Owner

23-03-2006, 10:07 AM	#2 (permalink)
mollie Ancestry Aid Staff Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Isle of Man Posts: 1,686 Total Awards: 2	*Thats brilliant news........we all had him as murdered. So glad he is safe*
	Mollie Ancestry Aid Moderator The UK's No 1 For Genealogy & Family History. Top Tip: Use the forum search page to find surnames!!. Dunne,McManus, McCann,O'Dowd, Higgins, Smith, Traynor, O'Byrne, Lamond/t Henry/Nicolson/Bowman/McCafferty/Keelan and more....did I say Smith...oh yes I did...we all have one.........lol

23-03-2006, 11:26 AM	#3 (permalink)
Veldixena Super Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Sunny Shropshire Posts: 1,399	That is a really great piece of news
	Vel The UK's No 1 For Genealogy & Family History. Judge thou me by what I am - so thou shalt find me fairest

25-03-2006, 08:44 AM	#6 (permalink)
mollie Ancestry Aid Staff Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Isle of Man Posts: 1,686 Total Awards: 2	Seems Mr Kember didn't want any military intervention over his captivity. A lady who is with the same organisation as Mr Kember said they do not welcome attempts to rescue captives. No statement has been recieved thanking the military for rescueing him, also the 2 Canadians who were held hostage and freed have been strangely quiet over the matter as well. *This story has been all over the news this morning* Last edited by mollie; 25-03-2006 at 12:56 PM.
	Mollie Ancestry Aid Moderator The UK's No 1 For Genealogy & Family History. Top Tip: Use the forum search page to find surnames!!. Dunne,McManus, McCann,O'Dowd, Higgins, Smith, Traynor, O'Byrne, Lamond/t Henry/Nicolson/Bowman/McCafferty/Keelan and more....did I say Smith...oh yes I did...we all have one.........lol

25-03-2006, 11:31 AM	#7 (permalink)
petal Super Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Horncastle, Lincolnshire Posts: 8,637 Total Awards: 5	On my local home town website there's been quite a debate going on about this and the fact that people such as Normal Kember would have been better to stay away from the area while there is conflict. They not only put themselves at risk but also raise the profile of others there trying to do their job. There was also some mention of this gentlemen not saying 'Thankyou' to the soldiers who put themselves at great risk for his safety. I think the situation out there needs a lot more understanding before anyone ventures out there even with the best intentions. Thats not to say we're not thankful he is alive and safe but this is not the first of these situations and surely there's a lesson to be learned.
	(AKA Mary) How beautiful it is to do nothing and rest afterwards...

23-03-2006, 11:45 AM	#4 (permalink)
happydays Advanced Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: england Posts: 426	thank god kel , great news babe xxxx

23-03-2006, 09:30 PM	#5 (permalink)
nanna Ancestry Aid Staff Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Liverpool, Merseyside.U.K Posts: 11,524 Total Awards: 3	Now that is the kind of New's I like. Nanna xx