Town is proud to fulfil sombre duty
28th  April 2008
Swindon Advertiser
www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk
By Hayley Court
IT HAS been a year since RAF Lyneham took on the solemn duty of repatriating military personnel killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. In just 12 months residents in Wootton Bassett have bowed their heads for 37 repatriations.

A rolling cortege has driven 75 union flag-draped coffins through the town past hundreds of silent mourners who shut up shop and came to a standstill to pay their respects.

The act itself has become second nature for the 11,000-strong community of Wootton Bassett according to Mayor Audrey Wannell. "It's just something we do, we may have flooded out onto the streets for a year now but the act itself never loses its significance. Each time we greet our fallen troops is just as poignant as the last - we are proud to do it, we wouldn't have it any other way."

RAF Lyneham took responsibility for the repatriations last April from RAF Brize Norton due to a two-year upgrade of facilities at the Oxfordshire airbase. The Ministry of Defence felt it was not appropriate for the solemn ceremonies to continue there while work was under way. It also meant responsibility for the inquests passed from the Oxfordshire to Wiltshire coroner.

Wootton Bassett's respect for the fallen has also touched the hearts of people from across the world as well as military chiefs.

The town's police station has been flooded with letters and emails from as far as Hungary, Bahrain and Canada expressing their pride for the town. One serviceman wrote: "It makes me proud to stand as a brother in uniform with your fine officers."

One contingent, ever present on these moving occasions is the Royal British Legion. The Wootton Bassett branch is regularly joined by members from across the county, including Calne and Swindon. The branches' dedication was recognised at an annual regional meeting of the legion in January. They were awarded with a commendation for their continued presence by Wootton Bassett memorial come rain or shine.

Despite becoming accustomed to seeing the coffins pass by over the last 12 months, the impact of the spectacle has not ceased to affect police officers in the town. Many choose to give up their day off to line the town's High Street as the convoy passes through. It is a dedication that has not wavered despite the now familiar event according to Inspector Mark Levitt.

He said: "You can't help but be moved by the strength of feeling you see every time the dead come home. Even our officers sometimes shed a tear - it doesn't get any easier. It is something we will continue until there is no need for us. We are proud to do it, it's our duty and an honour."