Memorial 20 years on from plane tragedy in Iraq

Geoff Bridgman laid a wreath at the memorial on Thursday

An RAF veteran has organised a memorial service for 10 military personnel who died when their plane was shot down over Iraq 20 years ago.

Geoff Bridgman, a former senior aircraftman, has also arranged a flypast in honour of the crew of Hercules XV179.

The plane, which was based at the former RAF Lyneham near Chippenham in Wiltshire, was hit by enemy fire on 30 January 2005 on its way from Baghdad to Balad, killing all 10 men on board.

Mr Bridgman, who was at the base when he heard the news, said: "We all felt the loss and we all felt the sadness."

The aircraft was hit by enemy fire on 30 January 2005 on its way from Baghdad to Balad

The tragedy left the "whole station in mourning", he added.

Mr Bridgman has worked hard to ensure that the men are not forgotten.

Every year since 2017, the 71-year-old has laid a wreath in the Garden of Remembrance at MOD Lyneham to honour them.

He spread the word to his friends in the Chippenham Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Club and some of them began joining the annual tradition.

But for the 20th anniversary, Mr Bridgman wanted to do something more special.

The bodies of the 10 serviceman were flown back to RAF Lyneham where their aircraft was based

On Thursday morning, a flypast and a memorial service was held at the remembrance garden "in respect of those who lost their lives and respect for the memory of those who are left".

Veterans, serving personnel and their loved ones attended.

Sarah O'Connor attended the ceremony to pay respects to her brother, Sgt Robert O'Connor, who died in the incident.

Her children brought his medals along too.

Children bought their late uncle's medals to the ceremony

Mr Bridgman added: "They say to me, 'why are you doing this, Geoff?'.

"I'm not after an OBE, I'm not after any sort of recognition – I'm doing this because it needs to be done."

He added that "it seems like yesterday" when the news broke.

"Whether they're army, navy or air force, we are one," he said.

"When one hurts, we all hurt; when one grieves, we all grieve."

The Garden of Remembrance at MOD Lyneham