Gerry Tobin Tribute

THOUSANDS of bikers took to the streets for the funeral of a Hell's Angel who was shot on the M40 last month.

Police estimate 3,000 bikers gathered for the funeral of Gerry Tobin, of Mottingham Road, Mottingham, who was killed on the motorway on August 12.

The motorcyclists took part in a 13-mile procession on Saturday from the Hell's Angels chapter clubhouse near his home to Mortlake Crematorium in Richmond.

Bikers from across Europe and the UK were on hand to pay their respects and have a few drinks in memory of their dead "brother".

Metallica and other heavy metal and hard rock played out to the crowds at the crematorium and heartfelt speeches from his loved ones were broadcast via a public address system.

His girlfriend Rebecca Smith said: "The fact that he sacrificed his life for the brotherhood sums up the principal character of Gerry."

Shocked onlookers

Onlookers, initially shocked by the sight of thousands of leather-clad bikers in Mortlake, commented on the beauty of seeing such an enormous cortege of motorbikes.

Many more were simply perplexed to see the hundreds of bikes lining the streets in and around the crematorium grounds.

Roads closed for procession

Police closed roads due to the sheer number of motorbikes on the route down Victoria Embankment, Westminster Bridge, Putney Bridge and the Hammersmith flyover.

Officers were also out in force and, although there were one or two minor scuffles, the afternoon event passed without major incident.

Floral tributes were left to Mr Tobin and an advert on the Hell's Angel London chapter's website invited those who knew him to an evening service.

The Hell's Angels motor club has also set up a memorial fund in Mr Tobin's memory.

Mr Tobin had been at the famous Bulldog Bash bikers' festival and was riding in convoy with two friends when he was shot.

He was born in Macclesfield and lived in Canada until 10 years ago, when he returned with his girlfriend and started working as a mechanic at Warr's Harley-Davidson shop in Mottingham Road.