Repatriation

Today the bodies of five service men who died in Afghanistan were brought home.   The giant Hercules aircraft flew low over Wootton Bassett to announce its arrival  then went on to land at RAF Lyneham.   With due ceremony the five coffins were taken from the plane to the Chapel where families and friends were waiting to pay their last respects.   Each family is given as long as it wishes then again with great dignity the coffins are taken to the waiting hearses.   The sad procession, five hearses, illuminated inside, coffins draped with the Union Flag, an empty hearse in case of a breakdown, and its police escort, makes it way to Wootton Basset where the first of many tributes are paid, then along the M4, A417 and A420 to the Wiltshire Police Headquarters on the outskirts of Swindon.
There, escort duties are taken over by Thames Valley Police and the cortege continues its journey.  All along the A420 people gather in groups large and small to pay their respects.   The main “vigil points” are - where the B4000 crosses the main road; at the Defence Academy in Shrivenham; and at the Folly Hill Lay-by - but all along the route people gather and traffic stops at the cortege approaches.   The “final salute” is taken outside  St Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church at the entrance to the John Radcliffe Hospital.
Our prayers go with them : may they rest in peace.