Military Charity Riders Recognised For Honouring Fallen Soldiers

The Union Flag that once flew in commemoration of fallen soldiers as they were repatriated back into Britain, has been awarded to the Riders Branch of the Royal British Legion (RBL).

Located at the centre of the Carterton Memorial Garden in Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, it was a poignant focus point where repatriated service personnel were transported through RAF Brize Norton.

During a ceremony, where over 200 members of the Riders Branch of the RBL attended, the old flag was gifted to them.

It was a symbolic gesture to the members because they attended every repatriation.

Councillor Norman MacRae, for West Oxfordshire District Council, said:

"The Riders Branch have been exceptionally supportive of all the repatriations."

Cllr MacRae said it "seemed only appropriate that we present it to them".

"They haven't missed one since we started back here in Brize Norton," he added.

Repatriations moved from RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire to RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire eight years ago.

The bodies of the former service personnel were once taken through a town, as they were in Royal Wootton Bassett where people could stand and pay their respects.

But that tradition no longer exists, which is why Carterton Memorial Garden was built.

Bishop Paul Knight from the RBL Riders Branch said the old flag "couldn't just be discarded".

"It's been lowered for the last time and given into the care of the Riders Branch and we will treasure it," he said.

The Riders Branch have been present at more than 100 repatriations,

Some of the members are veterans and offer support to the families of fallen soldiers.

Steve Blundell, the Repatriation Liason at the Riders Branch added:

"It's a great honour to be given this flag."

The memorial garden in Oxfordshire was built in 2011 and has seen thousands of people pay their respects to the service personnel killed in action.