Heartfelt thanks for the tribute

1:10pm Friday 10th October 2008

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By Hayley Court »

THANK you from the bottom of our hearts’ is the message service personnel from across the country will be giving to the people of Wootton Bassett on Sunday.

Units from all over the UK will travel to the market town to represent a fallen comrade who was repatriated through the High Street, and thank residents for the respect they have shown Britain’s fallen heroes.

Sqn Ldr Pete Morgan, who organised the parade, said: “I have spoken to many servicemen and women and have seen comments on the MOD website and they are all very touched by the strength of feeling shown by the people of Wootton Bassett no matter how many repatriations have happened.

“I only ask that the compassion and respect shown over the last 18 months continues and that other towns show the same respect should they see a convoy pass by.”

The event starts at 2pm with the High Street closing half an hour before the parade begins.

The parade will start with a flypast by a Hercules C130 followed by a march of the RAF Central Band and the Prince of Wales Divisional Band.

HMS Collingwood Band will follow before a general salute is made to the people of Wootton Bassett.

A Globemaster C17 will carry out a second flypast marking the start of a scroll presentation by RAF Lyneham to the Mayor of Wootton Bassett Mike Leighfield.

Wootton Bassett has led a nationally recognised example with residents in Oxford now following their lead.

Officers at Gablecross also go the extra mile taking a few moments to stand outside the headquarters on the Wiltshire/Oxfordshire border and salute the passing cortege.

Insp Steve Cox of Wootton Bassett police said: “The team I work with take great pride in escorting repatriation convoys as they make their journey from RAF Lyneham and onto Oxford, with many giving up their days off and in a recent case birthday celebrations, to do what they consider their honoured duty.

“It’s obviously never going to be a job we want to do but while our servicemen and women continue to pay the ultimate price for their dedication, we will continue to honour them in this way.”

The parade starts at 2pm and is expected to finish at around 3pm. Visitors are advised and requested to attend on foot to reduce traffic congestion. Buses to Wootton Bassett include the Stagecoach 55, 55A and 54, leaving from Swindon bus station every 20 minutes.