The ten British Servicemen who died when their Hercules crashed in IraqTHE servicemen killed when their Hercules plane crashed in Iraq may soon be remembered with a permanent memorial. The 10 men, including eight based at RAF Lyneham, died when the transport plane crashed in the desert north of Baghdad on January 30.

Now several suggestions have been put forward to build a memorial to the crew members.

There is already a memorial garden and bench on base to the personnel who died in the Hercules crash at Glen Tilt, Scotland on May 27, 2003.

Cannons Horticulture the grounds maintenance firm at RAF Lyneham has now offered to design and build a new memorial garden, near the Chaplaincy Centre on base, for the latest crash victims.

This would include a dedication to all the personnel who lost their lives.

Meanwhile, the Lyneham Old Boys' Association is working closely with 47 Squadron five of the dead were serving with the squadron to design and install a stained glass window in St Michael's Church in Lyneham village. That project has been running since before the crash happened.

It was originally designed to recognise the contributions of 47 Squadron since the First World War, but now its hoped that some acknowledgement of the recent tragedy can be incorporated into the design.

A final suggestion would see the names of the servicemen included on a permanent memorial in Wootton Bassett as the Wiltshire airbase shares a close link with the town.

Flt Lt Jane Hawthorn-thwaite, spokeswoman for RAF Lyneham said: "The base is working with local organisations, councils and the families to look at some sort of memorial to the personnel.

"All of this is in the early initial stages and no decisions have been taken. We are keen to hear people's opinions."

Flt Lt Hawthornthwaite also said that that station had been overwhelmed by the response of the local community after the crash and there had been many letters of support and donations to the base's accident fund.

Coun Susan Cooksley, Mayor of Wootton Bassett, said: "I think it is very much up to the families, but I would be very happy for any memorial in Wootton Bassett to remember the crew.

"The town was affected by the crash.

"And with so many servicemen and ex-servicemen in the town most people knew one or more of the crew."

Among those killed were Master Engineer Gary Nicholson, 42, of Stratton and Flt Sgt Mark Gibson, 34, of Sparcells in Swindon.

The others who died were Sqdn Ldr Patrick Marshall, Flt Lieut David Stead, Flt Lieut Andrew Smith, Flt Lieut Paul Pardoel, Chief Tech Richard Brown, Sgt Robert O'Connor, Corp David Williams and Acting Lance Corp Steven Jones.

Officials from the Ministry of Defence are still investigating the cause of the crash.

Anyone who wishes to contribute to the crash fund, may send cheques to RAF Lyneham made payable to Service Funds RAF Lyneham.

On the reverse of the cheques please write Balad Aircraft Fund.

Anthony Osborne