Wootton Bassett: The Town That Remembers

Slightly off the wargame topic for this post, but I had to mention this, so forgive me my ramblings.

Flicking through the TV last night I stumbled on an amazing documentary, "Wootton Bassett: The Town That Remembers". It's the behind the scenes story about the town on the day a British serviceman Aaron McCormick who was killed in action, came home.
Anyone from the UK will know the name of Wootton Bassett, for those who don't,  it's the closest town to RAF Lynham, only 4 miles away. The bodies of deceased servicemen and women of the British Armed Forces are repatriated to RAF Lynham, then pass through the town as part of a funeral cortege, on the way to John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford. The family and friends of the service personal often choose to pay their respects at Wootton Basset. As the numbers of deceased increased the processions began to be attended by people from the local area, then people from far and wide.

The town was granted royal patronage in March 2011 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in recognition of its role in the military funeral repatriations, which pass through the town. This is the first royal patronage for over 100 years. The only other towns with royal in their title are Royal Lemington Spa and Royal Tonbridge Wells.

It's a very remarkable, emotional and powerful programme, I must admit to getting a little choked up myself watching the programme, the silent crowd standing to attention as it passed through the streets, even the local school kids stand paying their respects. It's a remarkable piece of TV and it's not to be missed.
With all the problems in the world today, this really puts them all into perspective, it made me feel quit proud, proud of the men and women of the armed forces and of the British people.

Two quotes form the programme from Jarra Brown a MoD Police officer, he said, "It's 4-6 miles of so much dignity and respect for the fallen" and " People stop and get out of their cars, you go around the next corner and there are people there"

Here's a link to the BBCi programme http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0113fjt

Ray

Wootten Bassett resident Ken Scott is a 94-year-old World War II veteran who lost comrades in that conflict. Ken regularly stands on the high street to pay respect to the fallen and bring comfort to their families.

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