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Memorial for bomb specialist killed in Ukraine

Alex Blake
BBC News, Isle of Man
BBC A framed phot of Chris Garrett in military fatigues placed on the alter with the blue and yellow of the Ukrainian flag in the background.BBC
Chris Garrett, from Peel, died on 6 May

A bomb disposal specialist killed in Ukraine last month has been remembered at a memorial service in his hometown where mourners said his death had left a "massive void".

Chris Garrett, from Peel on the Isle of Man, was killed in an incident near Izyum in the east of the country on 6 May.

His remains were repatriated on 23 May in a ceremony which included a guard of honour at the airport followed by a cavalcade back to Peel led by the Moddey Dhoo Motorcycle Club.

The service, at the Isle of Man Cathedral in Peel heard how, as well as holding a place in the hearts of his family and friends, he meant a great deal to the people of Ukraine.

People standing in the cathedral with a member of the clergy walking down the middle aisle. The building has arches and stained glass windows.
The service took place in Isle of Man Cathedral in Peel

Mr Garrett's partner Courtney Pollock said: "To many that did not get the chance to meet him face to face, he was a saviour, protector and defender of life and freedom.

"We are all feeling an emptiness without Chris here in our world. His presence was bold and strong and not something to be easily replaced in our hearts."

The 40-year-old had volunteered with the Ukraine National Guard, after previously helping in the country in both 2014 and 2017, before returning when war broke out in February 2022.

As well as clearing thousands of tonnes of land mines during his time in the war-torn country, he also co-founded the humanitarian and mine clearance charity Prevail Together.

Karolina Davison, who has wavy shoulder length light coloured hair and is wearing a blue jacket over a yellow top. She is standing in the grounds of the cathedral.
Karolina Davison said Chris Garrett's actions had saved thousands of lives

Karolina Davison of Isle of Man Support for Ukraine said he was a "dear friend" and his death had "left a massive void in our hearts".

"He was a hero to me, somebody who has no relation to Ukraine or its people to go out there and help and save lives, it was something I had to admire.

"We'll never know the scale of the help and the amount of lives he's saved there is probably thousands, we'll never know."

Fabian Kaluza, who has short light brown hair and is wearing a black shirt with Prevail written on the breast pocket. He is standing in front of the cathedral.
Fabian Kaluza has volunteered with Prevail Together since 2023

Fabian Kaluza began working closely with Mr Garrett at Prevail Together in 2023 and lived in the same accommodation.

He said he had attended the memorial so that people on the island could "also get to know some of the people that he worked with and he affected very positively, which he did - not just for me, but for everybody working at Prevail".

The name Christopher Garrett engraved on the round base of the light coloured stone war memorial.
Chris Garrett's name has been included on the war memorial in the grounds of the cathedral

People attending the service were invited to wear a scarf or tie in the colours of the Ukrainian flag.

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