THE lives of soldiers repatriated through Wootton Bassett will be remembered forever in a book compiled by a former serviceman.

Peter Dewhirst, of Lawn, has created a collection of photographs and poems called ‘Heartache and Sorrow: A tribute to those left behind’, as a record of the repatriations before they cease to pass through the town in September.

Peter, 55, who spent 15 years in the RAF, has self-published 100 copies of the title and books have already been presented to Prime Minister David Cameron and the Imperial War Museum.

“It is a moving tribute to the family and friends of those service- men and women who have lost their lives and who have been repatriated through Wootton Bassett,” he said.

“It has gone from almost a personal project to suddenly getting a lot more exposure than I thought it would.

“My intention has been to highlight the pain and suffering of those who have lost a loved one to the conflict in Afghanistan and it is my way of honouring and paying respect to the family and friends of the fallen as their suffering never really ends.

“The people of Swindon and Wootton Bassett have been buying it and North Wiltshire MP James Gray said he loved it.

The book includes more than 80 images captured by Pete at repatriations as well as poems written by his partner, Jacquie Golding.

It also includes a foreword written by Mr Gray and profits from the book are being donated to the charity Help for Heroes.

“People are saying they want copies because it is history. Part of the reason I did it is because there is no record of the majority of repatriations, this is a historical record,” he said.

Peter has sold 51 copies so far and said the Imperial War Museum has also been talking about selling it in the shop.

He said: “It is a historical document and obviously because Lyneham is closing down it will never be the same.

“The general feeling is that it is just not going to be the same and it never will be. I was in the air force for 15 years so I feel a bit of a connection with the move.”

It has taken about two years to take all the photographs and produce the book, which is on sale for £15.95.

To order a copy email book@petedewhirst.com or visit www.petedewhirst.com.