Hundreds roar in to pay respects to Crayford legend Ollie Jennings
00:00, 15 June 2017
updated: 10:10, 15 June 2017
Hundreds of mourners including motorcycle club members from around the world turned out to say farewell to much-loved biker Ollie Jennings.
Crayford came to a standstill on Friday as a cavalcade of bikers accompanied Mr Jennings’ hearse through the town for “Ollie’s Last Ride”.
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It went from the Duke’s Head to a service at Kemnal Park, Chislehurst, and back for a burial service at St Paulinus Church.
Mr Jennings died aged 25 in a crash on the A228 Peninsula Way, near Hoo, last month, leaving family and friends devastated.
But his funeral was testament to his popularity in Crayford and further afield, with motorbike clubs travelling from as far as Australia to pay their respects.
Clubs in attendance included the Chosen Few from Belgium, No Name from Denmark, the Coffin Cheaters from Australia and Norway, as well as Hells Angels, Vikings, Road Rats, Iron Horses, Red Devils, F.U.B MC, Renegade MC and Mr Jennings’ own club Commitatus MC.
Mr Jennings’ family said they were heartbroken over their loss, and Ollie – a son, brother, uncle, cousin, grandson, friend, and boyfriend – would be sadly missed by everyone who knew him.
His mum Pam, step-dad Jim, and sister Emma, thanked family and friends for their support, and added: “The volume of people on Friday spoke for the man himself, Mummy’s big little soldier.”
They gave special mention to Red Scaffolding, LARRY’S YC, Master Tattooers, Flaming Art, GB Tattoo, Bexley Rugby Club, and Invicta Boxing for cards, messages, flowers, letters, love and support; and furthermore thanked everyone for allowing the family privacy at an exceptionally sad time.
As well as all the bike clubs in attendance, there was further help from the National Chopper Club Kent, which provided outriders for “Ollie’s Last Ride” and the Coffin Cheaters MC, which paid for Ollie’s memorial stone.
Mr Jennings’ family were able to host many mourners at their own pub, the Duke’s Head, but thanked The One Bell, Crayford Arms, The Bear and Ragged Staff, and Penny Farthing for accommodating others and helping to celebrate Ollie’s life.
A moving service included readings and poems from Ollie’s family, the “Viking Prayer” and music including Free Bird by Lynyrd Skynyrd, Hey Brother by Avicii, The Sound of Silence by Disturbed, and Highway to Hell by AC/DC.
Posting on Facebook on Friday Renegade MC wrote: “Today we say goodbye to Ollie of Commitatus MC, taken too soon but he left an impression on many lives.
“He was well liked and respected by this club, energy of the youth with the heart of the old school, he will be sorely missed. Our condolences go out to his family, friends and his brothers worldwide.
“We’ll see you in Valhalla my friend!”
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