Royal Wootton Bassett Town Council and the Royal Wootton Bassett branch of the Royal British Legion will be showing their appreciation and support to the Armed Forces community on Saturday 28th June 2025 at 10:45am at the War Memorial on the High Street.

The RBL Riders Branch have decided to hold their National Rally in Royal Wootton Bassett to mark the 20th Anniversary of the Hercules XV 179 being brought down during the conflict in Iraq, and the 10 personnel being repatriated back to RAF Lyneham, and through our town. 

As part of their National Rally, the RBL will be attending the Armed Forces Day open-air service;

The High Street will be closed from 10:00hrs - 12:00hrs

Please assemble at the War Memorial by 10:30hrs

There are refreshments for those taking part in the Manor House afterwards.

Those that lost their lives on XV179 and in service to their country were:

• Flight Lieutenant Dave 'Steady' Stead (Captain)
• Flying Officer Andy 'Smudge' Smith (Co-Pilot)
• Flight Lieutenant Paul Pardoel (Navigator)
• Master Engineer Gary Nicholson – 'Gary Nick' (Flight Engineer)
• Master Aircrew Mark 'Gibbo' Gibson (Air Loadmaster)
• Chief Technician Richie 'Delia' Brown (Ground Engineer)
• Sergeant Bob 'Logic' O'Connor (Ground Engineer)
• Corporal David Williams (Safety Equipper)
• Lance Corporal Steven 'Jonah' Jones (Signaller)
• Squadron Leader Patrick 'Paddy' Marshall who was on his first day in theatre
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