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Farewell to 'proud' Wootton Bassett
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Farewell to 'proud' Wootton Bassett
bb1 Wed Aug 31, 2011 7:38 pm
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/town-mark-end-repatriations-025418127.html
The sorrow etched on the faces of the family and friends who lost loved ones in Iraq and Afghanistan will be one of the enduring memories for the people of Wootton Bassett as they say goodbye to repatriation ceremonies.
Over the last four years, hundreds of people have stood silently, bowing their heads in a mark of respect as the coffins of the fallen were driven slowly past the Wiltshire town's war memorial.
The bell that echoed across the town from St Bartholomew's church provides another memory of the losses that were recognised by the small market town.
Since the repatriations started passing through Wootton Bassett in April 2007 the town has gained international recognition - including from the American President, Barack Obama.
But the people of Wootton Bassett say they were just playing their part, and had wanted simply to show their respects for the servicemen and women who had made the ultimate sacrifice.
Maurice Baker, president of the local branch of the Royal British Legion, has been parade marshal for around 160 of the 167 repatriations.
The 81-year-old said he would look back on what he and the people of Wootton Bassett had done with pride.
"For four and a half years we have been here and come out here and paid our respects, probably once a week, virtually, and it will take some time to get used to the fact that we don't put Thursdays aside for repatriations," he said.
"We shall miss it, but we know that Carterton and Brize Norton are going to do a similar thing that we do.
They will pay their respects in the way they want to do it and hope that the families and forces agree that they are doing the right thing as well."
The sorrow etched on the faces of the family and friends who lost loved ones in Iraq and Afghanistan will be one of the enduring memories for the people of Wootton Bassett as they say goodbye to repatriation ceremonies.
Over the last four years, hundreds of people have stood silently, bowing their heads in a mark of respect as the coffins of the fallen were driven slowly past the Wiltshire town's war memorial.
The bell that echoed across the town from St Bartholomew's church provides another memory of the losses that were recognised by the small market town.
Since the repatriations started passing through Wootton Bassett in April 2007 the town has gained international recognition - including from the American President, Barack Obama.
But the people of Wootton Bassett say they were just playing their part, and had wanted simply to show their respects for the servicemen and women who had made the ultimate sacrifice.
Maurice Baker, president of the local branch of the Royal British Legion, has been parade marshal for around 160 of the 167 repatriations.
The 81-year-old said he would look back on what he and the people of Wootton Bassett had done with pride.
"For four and a half years we have been here and come out here and paid our respects, probably once a week, virtually, and it will take some time to get used to the fact that we don't put Thursdays aside for repatriations," he said.
"We shall miss it, but we know that Carterton and Brize Norton are going to do a similar thing that we do.
They will pay their respects in the way they want to do it and hope that the families and forces agree that they are doing the right thing as well."
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Re: Farewell to 'proud' Wootton Bassett
Maggs Wed Aug 31, 2011 9:26 pm
Thats about how much this government care's for the Forces. 
Maggs- Slayer of scums
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Re: Farewell to 'proud' Wootton Bassett
Sabot Thu Sep 01, 2011 9:58 am
A totally unorganized show of respect. It's things like this that remind me that Britain was once Great.
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RAF Brize Norton Set For First Repatriation
Maggs Thu Sep 08, 2011 1:14 pm
RAF Brize Norton Set For First Repatriation
Sergeant Barry Weston will become the first fallen member of the armed services to be repatriated to RAF Brize Norton since the switch from RAF Lyneham.
http://news.sky.com/home/uk-news/article/16064654
Sergeant Barry Weston will become the first fallen member of the armed services to be repatriated to RAF Brize Norton since the switch from RAF Lyneham.
http://news.sky.com/home/uk-news/article/16064654
Maggs- Slayer of scums
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Re: Farewell to 'proud' Wootton Bassett
bb1 Thu Sep 08, 2011 1:17 pm
Glad the tradition is going to be carried on:
To honour the dead, thousands of people lined the streets of nearby Wootton Bassett, a phenomenon which snowballed after the town's former mayor stood to attention as a cortege passed by.
That tradition is now expected to continue in Carterton.
I believe Wootton Bassett is to be made a 'Royal' town in recognition of their efforts?
To honour the dead, thousands of people lined the streets of nearby Wootton Bassett, a phenomenon which snowballed after the town's former mayor stood to attention as a cortege passed by.
That tradition is now expected to continue in Carterton.
I believe Wootton Bassett is to be made a 'Royal' town in recognition of their efforts?
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Re: Farewell to 'proud' Wootton Bassett
Sabot Thu Sep 08, 2011 2:26 pm
Sad, sad, sad, that it should happen. But uplifting as well.
Sabot- Slayer of scums
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Re: Farewell to 'proud' Wootton Bassett
Maggs Thu Sep 08, 2011 2:46 pm
by bb1 on Thu Sep 08, 2011 1:17 pm
Glad the tradition is going to be carried on:
Yes but for how much longer Bonny? Brize isn't the best of places for this, the roads are all islands to Carterton from the base.
Maggs- Slayer of scums
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Re: Farewell to 'proud' Wootton Bassett
Sabot Fri Sep 09, 2011 8:54 am
You don't think The Government are trying to make things difficult, do you?
Nah, they wouldn't do that, would they?
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Re: Farewell to 'proud' Wootton Bassett
Maggs Fri Sep 09, 2011 8:14 pm
Sabot wrote:
You don't think The Government are trying to make things difficult, do you?
Nah, they wouldn't do that, would they?
It will be the excuse they are looking for to get rid, all together Sabot.
Carterton isn't a sleepy little village, it is very busy.
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