GAZETTE & HERALD: STATION Commander Paul Oborn has praised villagers for the support shown since the Hercules tragedy.

He said the crash had devastated the entire station and emotions were still raw.

"I want to express deep gratitude to the local community in particular the local schools," he said.

"The outpouring of condolences plus flowers has been a tremendous support to all of us.

"My priority is to look after the families and close friends of those who have been affected and to begin pulling the station back together. At the end of the day we still have a job to do at Lyneham and we still have personnel in Iraq."

On Friday mourners packed a huge hangar at the base to remember the friends they had lost in a moving memorial service. Some relatives of the men who died attended.

Wing commander David Edgar, senior chaplain at the base, took the act of remembrance, saying: "Those known to many here served with loyalty, courage, professionalism and devotion even at the cost of their lives in the cause of freedom, justice and peace."

The names of the ten men who died were read out, followed by a poignant two minute's silence.

Grp Capt Oborn said: "One lady, Sheila Webb, sent me a poem about the Hercules which we read out at the service. It went down really well."

The poem included the lines: "Strong and mighty men of peace, Your legacy will never cease; Pride and sadness interlace, 47 Squadron Lyneham base."

Grp Capt Oborn said the military was fortunate to have a fantastic welfare system in place to guide families through the difficult months ahead.

He said each family had been appointed an officer as a point of contact and to offer advice on subjects such as finance and pensions, and to provide day-to-day help, including meals on wheels.

Grp Capt Oborn paid tribute to the community surrounding Lyneham for its support and offers of help.

"Lyneham was a close-knit community before but it's even tighter now," he said. "The arms of the station have gone out and pulled the families in and the local school has been absolutely outstanding.

"It's come as something of a surprise to the service people here how closely this tragedy has been felt in the wider community.

"People have been stopping us in the street and seeing all the flowers is a real help. I'm overwhelmed by the support we've received."