'Lasting tribute' for those who served their nation

A "lasting legacy" has been unveiled to honour those who have dedicated their lives to serving their nation.

The new stained-glass window at St Michael's Church in Lyneham, Wiltshire, honours the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME), an Army corps based in the village and responsible for maintaining operational equipment.

Resident Tony Evans organised the window, which features St Eligius, the REME patron saint, to reflect the village's pride in its links to the military base.

Colonel Tim Gillies, commandant of Ministry of Defence (MoD) Lyneham where REME is based, said: "I think the window is more than artwork; it's a lasting tribute to over 80 years of REME service."

Gillies added the window honours those from REME who have "served their nation" and he hoped it would serve as a "legacy" for future generations.

Many past and present local people have worked in civilian posts on the base, and trainees from REME have supported the church with several events including summer fetes and maintaining the graveyard.

St Michael's Church is also where Evans and other residents "said farewell to far too many RAF friends and colleagues", such as those who died in a Hercules air crash in Scotland in 1993 and ten men who died onboard Hercules XV179 in 2005.

A special service was held at the church on Wednesday to mark the new stained-glass window.

Evans said: "I was delighted and very relieved after five years in the process that I have helped our church in some small way to maintain its military connections and welcome REME here today and recognise their new permanent home."

Behind St Eligius in the new window are several large circles, which represent the wheel of a military vehicle. There are also spanners and tongs, symbols of REME's work.

Councillor Allison Bucknell, from Wiltshire Council, attended the ceremony and described the window as "beautiful", adding it "recognises the importance of the REME family, and will serve as an ongoing reminder that REME is a part of our present and our future."

Children with parents either deployed or based at MoD Lyneham were also in attendance at the ceremony earlier.

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