7:00pm Sunday 21st March 2010
By Hayley Court
MORE than 100 people turned out as veterans of the Parachute Regiment paid their respects at Wootton Bassett war memorial.
The former servicemen held their standards high as the marched from the town hall to the memorial to lay wreaths in honour of their fallen young brothers.
The low-key ceremony yesterday, was arranged as a thank you to the market town for the welcome it had given so may fallen soldiers, including those of the Parachute Regiment and the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.
Included in the ceremony was the standard of the 101st Airborne Regiment – the legendary Band of Brothers who were briefly based at Aldbourne during the Second World War.
Former Sergeant Satch Comley, who represented the regiment, said: “I am here for every repatriation and am proud of how many people turn out to support the personnel coming back.
“This is our way of saying thank you to the town for all it does and the modest way it does it.
“We didn’t want to close the road and do a big march past, we just wanted to thank them in our own quiet way and lay a wreath for those who have passed through here.”
Despite this being the second weekend of tributes to the town – the Mothering Sunday motorcycle parade coming first – support remained strong with many applauding the veterans as they slowly marched to the memorial.
Jo Carpenter, who lives just off the High Street, said: “I don’t think this does any harm.
“People are grateful for what happens here and it is nice that people feel they can come here to pay their respects alongside us.”
Janet Dixon, who also lives just of the High Street, said: “I think it is lovely.
“There’s nothing left to say about the repatriations really. We all know why we’re here and we all know we’ll carry on doing it.”
Canon Thomas Woodhouse, who was present at the service, said growing support for the town was deeply touching.
“It is very special to welcome visitors like this to our town,” he said.
“As with every repatriation there is an understanding that by paying our respects we are not making any comment on the conflict and whether it should or should not continue.
“We simply bow our heads and share a moment of solemnity for those who died doing their duty.
“It is very special to have people visit us here to pay their own tributes.”
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