Gathering For The Final Time 

Sunset ceremony marks the end of repatriations through Wootton Bassett

 

These pictures were taken just before 8pm tonight in Wootton Bassett high street, as people gathered to mark the official ending of military repatriations through the town.

 

From 01 September all deceased servicemen from Afganistan will be flown to nearby RAF Brize Norton instead of RAF Lyneham, before their journey to the Oxford John Radcliffe hospital.

 

End of an era: Canon Thomas Woodhouse, chaplain of the local branch of the Royal British Legion, blessed the Union flag lowered from its position near the war memorial before laying it overnight on the altar of nearby St Bartholomew's church

 

In all, the coffins of 345 soldiers have passed through Wootton Bassett, with people in the high street first stopping and standing silently in respect in April 2007. The dignified tribute began when just a few members of the local British Legion saluted each funeral cortege, before members of the public and relatives of those repatriated also started to attend to pay tribute.

 

The town will become Royal Wootton Bassett in recognition of what the Prime Minister described as a "spontaneous and very beautiful thing."

  

The last repatriation, that of Lieutenant Daniel Clack, 24, took place on 18 August.

 

End of Repriations at Wootton Bassett

Sunset ceremony

31 August 2011

 

 

 

Pictures by Calyx.