A Wootton Bassett mark of respect

Wootton Bassett is a market town in Wiltshire. In 2007, RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire was closed for runway repairs, and C-17s began to bring bodies here instead, on their way to the mortuary at RAF Lyneham Photograph: Martin Argles Photograph: guardian.co.uk When members of the British Legion realised what was happening, they decided to find out when each repatriation was taking place, and salute the fallen soldiers as the cars carrying their bodies passed by Photograph: Martin Argles Photograph: guardian.co.uk Their efforts have encouraged a large group of townsfolk to gather in silence as a mark of respect, for every union flag-covered coffin that passes through Photograph: Martin Argles Photograph: guardian.co.uk Former mayor Ken Scott has lived in the town for 48 years, and is a war veteran himself Photograph: Martin Argles Photograph: guardian.co.uk Scott has attended all but a handful of the repatriations, and has begun a collection of dedication notices that have been left at the memorial, which he intends to give to the local museum Photograph: Martin Argles Photograph: guardian.co.uk A union flag outside a pub in town Photograph: Martin Argles Photograph: guardian.co.uk Crowds assemble before the cortege arrives Photograph: Martin Argles Photograph: guardian.co.uk Despite the upgrading work at Brize Norton having been completed, the armed forces have decided to let repatriations continue through Wootton Bassett, thanks to the support of residents Photograph: Martin Argles Photograph: guardian.co.uk Scott: "History will know that Wootton Bassett respected the fallen that have passed through their town. We just didn’t forget them” Photograph: Martin Argles Photograph: guardian.co.uk