The Honourable Town of WOOTTON BASSETT
The Wootton Bassett tributes were started spontaneously over two years ago by Legion members pausing to salute the cortège from nearby RAF Lyneham, which was used to return all those killed on operations. Since then, the repatriation ceremonies have grown to involve the entire town and have earned widespread praise and attention.
Royal Status
On 16 March 2011, Prime Minister David Cameron announced, at the start of Prime Minister's Questions, that while "from September, military repatriations will no longer pass through the town of Wootton Bassett", "Her Majesty has agreed to confer the title 'Royal' upon the town, as an enduring symbol of the nation’s admiration and gratitude". The addition to the town's name will be enacted through Letters Patent and will become effective later in 2011. Wootton Bassett will become the third 'Royal' town in the country after Royal Leamington Spa and Royal Tunbridge Wells, and the first to receive the status in over 100 years.
Repatriation
On June 2nd, 2011, two members of the Blackpool Submariners Association attended the Repatriation of two Royal Marines who lost their lives in Afghanistan.
We had no links with the men or their families, other than that we wished to show our respect to the two them and their families.
It was also an opportunity to say 'Thanks' to Wootton Bassett.
Marine Sam Alexander, 28, of Plymouth, and Lt Ollie Augustin, 23, of Kent, both of 42 Commando, were flown to RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire.
The two men were killed in the Loy Mandeh area of the Nad-e Ali District of Helmand Province on 27 May.
They were searching a compound there when the device exploded, killing them and injuring several others.
Marine Alexander, who grew up in Hampshire and lived in Hammersmith, was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry two years ago after saving the life of a wounded colleague in Afghanistan.
He joined the Royal Marines in 2006 and had trained as a heavy weapons specialist.
He married his wife, Claire, two years ago and the couple had a son, Leo, born in July last year.
He and Lt Augustin, from Dartford, were on patrol "disrupting insurgent activity" when they were killed.
Lt Augustin is survived by his father, Sean, his mother, Jane, and his sister, Sarah.
His colleagues said 'he was a passionate and selfless leader'.
Royal Status
On 16 March 2011, Prime Minister David Cameron announced, at the start of Prime Minister's Questions, that while "from September, military repatriations will no longer pass through the town of Wootton Bassett", "Her Majesty has agreed to confer the title 'Royal' upon the town, as an enduring symbol of the nation’s admiration and gratitude". The addition to the town's name will be enacted through Letters Patent and will become effective later in 2011. Wootton Bassett will become the third 'Royal' town in the country after Royal Leamington Spa and Royal Tunbridge Wells, and the first to receive the status in over 100 years.
Repatriation
On June 2nd, 2011, two members of the Blackpool Submariners Association attended the Repatriation of two Royal Marines who lost their lives in Afghanistan.
We had no links with the men or their families, other than that we wished to show our respect to the two them and their families.
It was also an opportunity to say 'Thanks' to Wootton Bassett.
Marine Sam Alexander, 28, of Plymouth, and Lt Ollie Augustin, 23, of Kent, both of 42 Commando, were flown to RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire.
The two men were killed in the Loy Mandeh area of the Nad-e Ali District of Helmand Province on 27 May.
They were searching a compound there when the device exploded, killing them and injuring several others.
Marine Alexander, who grew up in Hampshire and lived in Hammersmith, was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry two years ago after saving the life of a wounded colleague in Afghanistan.
He joined the Royal Marines in 2006 and had trained as a heavy weapons specialist.
He married his wife, Claire, two years ago and the couple had a son, Leo, born in July last year.
He and Lt Augustin, from Dartford, were on patrol "disrupting insurgent activity" when they were killed.
Lt Augustin is survived by his father, Sean, his mother, Jane, and his sister, Sarah.
His colleagues said 'he was a passionate and selfless leader'.
Shaun Gregan and 'Foxy' Fowler were the two Blackpool members at this very moving event.
Shaun managed to get a few pictures whilst he was there............................
[Very noticeable were the RBL Riders Branch who attended not only this Repatriation, but events all over the country .
RBL Riders (Link)]
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CEREMONY MARKS THE END OF REPATRIATIONS 31 AUGUST 2011
A moving ceremony at sunset has marked the end of repatriations through Wootton Bassett as the Union flag on the town's high street was lowered for the last time.
Hundreds of people attended Wednesday night's ceremony, which reflected the simple and dignified nature of the military repatriations which have passed through the town for the last four years.
It signalled the end of an era for the small Wiltshire market town, which has seen the coffins of 345 service personnel pass through the town and thousands of people line its main street to pay their respects.
The road was closed for the 10-minute ceremony as people packed the street to watch as the same standard bearers that have attended so many repatriations lowered their standards for the last time.
People stood in silence as the bell of St Bartholomew's Church sounded through the town, echoing the familiar tolls of the repatriations themselves.
As the flag was lowered mixed emotions were painted across the faces of those so familiar with the repatriations - pride at what the town had achieved but also a sadness, drawing tears from some, that it will no longer be able to show its support and respect in the way it is used to.
The ceremony was led by Wootton Bassett's mayor, councillor Paul Heaphy, and Canon Thomas Woodhouse, chaplain of the local branch of the Royal British Legion (RBL).
As the sun set the flag was lowered to a solemn performance by the Wootton Bassett Brass Band and the moving words of The Exhortation were recited by the president of the Wootton Bassett branch of the RBL. The flag was blessed and folded before being laid overnight on the altar of St Bartholomew's Church.
As the ceremony ended, people cheered and applauded while others wiped tears from their cheeks and embraced those around them.
The flagpole will remain bare until 11am on Thursday, when a new flag will go up in Wootton Bassett as the Union flag given to Oxfordshire is raised at the new memorial garden at RAF Brize Norton.
Copyright © 2011 The Press Association. All rights reserved.
ROYAL WOOTTON BASSETT, WE SALUTE YOU.
Hundreds of people attended Wednesday night's ceremony, which reflected the simple and dignified nature of the military repatriations which have passed through the town for the last four years.
It signalled the end of an era for the small Wiltshire market town, which has seen the coffins of 345 service personnel pass through the town and thousands of people line its main street to pay their respects.
The road was closed for the 10-minute ceremony as people packed the street to watch as the same standard bearers that have attended so many repatriations lowered their standards for the last time.
People stood in silence as the bell of St Bartholomew's Church sounded through the town, echoing the familiar tolls of the repatriations themselves.
As the flag was lowered mixed emotions were painted across the faces of those so familiar with the repatriations - pride at what the town had achieved but also a sadness, drawing tears from some, that it will no longer be able to show its support and respect in the way it is used to.
The ceremony was led by Wootton Bassett's mayor, councillor Paul Heaphy, and Canon Thomas Woodhouse, chaplain of the local branch of the Royal British Legion (RBL).
As the sun set the flag was lowered to a solemn performance by the Wootton Bassett Brass Band and the moving words of The Exhortation were recited by the president of the Wootton Bassett branch of the RBL. The flag was blessed and folded before being laid overnight on the altar of St Bartholomew's Church.
As the ceremony ended, people cheered and applauded while others wiped tears from their cheeks and embraced those around them.
The flagpole will remain bare until 11am on Thursday, when a new flag will go up in Wootton Bassett as the Union flag given to Oxfordshire is raised at the new memorial garden at RAF Brize Norton.
Copyright © 2011 The Press Association. All rights reserved.
ROYAL WOOTTON BASSETT, WE SALUTE YOU.