Worthy recognition…
Wootton Bassett is to be given the title of “Royal” in recognition of its efforts to honour the UK’s war dead, the prime minister has announced.
Repatriations of fallen troops have taken place through the Wiltshire town since 2007.
These will end when RAF Lyneham closes at the end of 2012, with the majority of its planes, kit and personnel moving to Brize Norton.
The town lies on the route the corteges take to the John Radcliffe Hospital.
Making the announcement, David Cameron confirmed that troop repatriations would no longer happen via Wootton Bassett from September.
But he said the Queen had agreed to the tribute as “an enduring symbol of the nation’s admiration and our gratitude to the people of that town”.
Mr Cameron told the House of Commons: “Their deeply moving and dignified demonstrations of respect and mourning have shown the deep bond between the public and our armed forces.”
BBC News.
By: PeeDee - 20th March 2011 at 19:14
The town deserves it.
Wasn’t it Royal before? Hundreds of years ago?
By: Creaking Door - 16th March 2011 at 17:20
I was driving near Swindon last year and I suddenly became aware that at every roundabout and road junction for miles there seemed to be a few parked cars and small groups of smartly dressed old gentlemen. It was very puzzling as they all seemed to be connected in some way but I only realised how when I spotted one group assembling their British Legion standards by the roadside…
…they were obviously waiting to pay tribute to fallen British soldiers as they made their way home from RAF Lyneham.
By: Lincoln 7 - 16th March 2011 at 16:53
Absolutely fantastic, it’s just a terrible thing to have happened to the town to be given the title.I am full of admiration for all the follks who stood in silence in even the worst of weather. True British grit at it’s best.
Lincoln .7
By: Sky High - 16th March 2011 at 14:03
That is remarkable and very exceptional, I imagine.
By: Mr Creosote - 16th March 2011 at 13:58
Great idea. The good people of that town can say it’s name with pride.
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March 16, 2011 at 12:56 pm