Sir – Clare Richardson, in her letter (June 16) concerning the route taken in transferring fallen servicemen from Brize Norton, raises a delicate point, from which she can expect some dissent.

The route through Wootton Bassett was necessitated by road geography, and the exponential escalation of these sad occasions from a simple salute by the local British Legion to something much more public could, for some, be disquieting.

However. Carterton and the surrounding villages constitute a garrison town; few residents are not connected, either directly or indirectly, with RAF personnel, who may, at any time, be posted to a theatre of war; therefore, these are occasions where comrades-in-arms whose supreme sacrifice should be appropriately recognised.

Clare Richardson rightly points out that, despite the circumstances, these are essentially family and private occasions, and should be respected as such.

There may be a case for suggesting that families might be given the option of which route they prefer.

We should all remember, however that the best way in which we can honour the sacrifice of these who have made the supreme sacrifice in our name, to support charities such as the British Legion and the RAF Association, who do so much to help the families of fallen servicemen.

Martin Sheldon, Headington Quarry