Silence falls over Royal Wootton Bassett Field of Remembrance
11 November 2011
The loved ones of brave Servicemen and
women who fought and died in the Afghanistan conflict gathered to
remember their sacrifice today in a moving service at The Royal
British Legion's Field of Remembrance in Royal Wootton Bassett.
Up to 35,000 crosses were planted within the walled garden in Lydiard Park, near to the town of Royal Wootton Bassett, each with a personal message from members of the public commemorating the 384 men and women killed since the Afghanistan conflict began in 2001.
The Royal British Legion's National President Lt Col Sir John Kiszely KCB MC DL and Afghanistan war widow and Legion beneficiary Kirianne Curley each dedicated a Remembrance Cross in the Field and led the Two Minute Silence ceremony. They were joined by a number of civic dignitaries and members of the British Armed Forces who attended the Field to mark Armistice Day and pay their respects.
"The Legion's Fields of Remembrance show how much public support there is for our Armed Forces and each cross planted is an expression of thanks as well as Remembrance," said Sir John Kiszely. "This Field particularly shows how much heartfelt gratitude there is for the sacrifices made by our young Service people killed in Afghanistan. We are extremely honoured to have so many families, loved ones and supporters here today and I encourage everyone to visit the Field. "
Kirianne Curley's husband, Cpl Stephen
Curley of 40 Commando Royal Marines was killed in an explosion in
Afghanistan in May 2010. The Royal British Legion's Independent
Inquest Advice legal team is advising Kirianne on the military
inquest into her husband's death. She said: "I'm honoured to be
dedicating a cross in Stephen's memory to mark this important day,
and proud also to be representing the Legion. I had a 17-week-old
baby to look after when I was told Stephen had been killed, and the
support we've received from the Legion in the aftermath of his
death has been invaluable."
Anne Bevis, Treasurer of the Royal Wootton Bassett Legion branch said: "The Field means a great deal to the people of Royal Wootton Bassett and Wiltshire, it's a place where families can come to quietly reflect and Remember. The Field is also a place where local people can see their deep sentiments reflected in messages of support from across the nation. The Field is one of its kind, and we're very proud of it."
This year's event at Royal Wootton
Bassett also marks the unique date of Remembrance Day 2011, with
60,000 poppies with messages of support, laid out in a giant
11.11.11.11 formation to denote the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of
the 11th month, and for once in a hundred years, the 11th year.
The Royal Wootton Bassett Field of Remembrance will be open to the public from today, Friday 11th November until Monday 21st November.
The First Field of Remembrance opened in 1928 in the grounds of Westminster Abbey, London. This year there are five Fields of Remembrance around the UK in Belfast, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Westminster Abbey and Royal Wootton Bassett. For more information on the Fields of Remembrance, click here.
