Wootton Bassett awaits 100th repatriation (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Wootton Bassett awaits 100th repatriation

11:49am Friday 20th November 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)

WOOTTON BASSETT is preparing for its 100th repatriation today.

The bodies of soldiers killed in Afghanistan on Sunday are being flown in to RAF Lyneham for a private ceremony before the cortege makes its solemn progress along the high street on the way to Oxford.

Territorial Rifleman Andrew Fentiman, 23, was shot while on a foot patrol close to Sangin.

Cpl Loren Marlton-Thomas, a bomb disposal expert from 33 Engineer Regt, died in an explosion while he was attempting to clear a route in Gereshk.

Fallen soldiers have been repatriated through Lyneham since April 2007 and the tradition of lining the streets developed after local Royal British Legion members spotted a hearse being escorted by Wiltshire Police.

Since then the crowds have grown and knots of people now appear along the length of the route to the John Radcliffe Hospital to pay their respects.

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)