Two British soldiers killed in Afghanistan have been returned home in the 100th repatriation ceremony to be held at RAF Lyneham.
Another solemn cortege passed through the community which has become a national focal point for people to pay their respects to fallen service personnel.
The coffins of Rifle Andrew Fentiman and Corporal Loren Owen Christopher Marlton-Thomas passed through the market town in front of lines of families, friends and local people.
They paused briefly to allow family members to place roses on top of the hearses.
Rifleman Andrew Ian Fentiman from 7th Battalion The Rifles was killed as a result of small arms fire whilst on a foot patrol near Sangin in central Helmand.
Corporal Loren Owen Christopher Marlton-Thomas from 33 Engineer Regiment was also killed in Helmand by an improvised explosive device.
The cortege tradition began in 2007 when RAF Lyneham, three miles from Wootton Bassett, took over repatriation duties from RAF Brize Norton and it has had a profound effect on many people in the town.
'You have to be there to feel the emotion,' said local resident Mavis Wild.
'An elderly lady I had never seen before asked me if I would be kind enough to give her a hug when the coffins had passed by. I did, she shed a few tears and went on her way. That's what it is like.'
Free refreshments are laid on for bereaved relatives and members of the armed forces at the Cross Keys pub in the High Street.
Manager Kirsty Lambert said, 'All the repatriations have changed Wootton Bassett in a way, but we are very proud of what these occasions have come to symbolise.
'We all try to help people who come to the town to pay their respects, not just the Cross Keys.'
Rifleman Daniel Hume was repatriated in July this year along with the bodies of seven other soldiers who died in Afghanistan within a 24-hour period.
Members of his family said the Wootton Bassett tribute helped them cope with their loss.
Daniel's father, Adrian, said: 'I think they are fantastic. I have heard nothing but fantastic comments.
'They come out and give cups of tea to the guys standing in the street. They open their houses for them. I think they have done a lot to show that people support our troops.'
As the national profile of Wootton Basset has increased, outside campaigns have called for the route to be renamed Highway for Heroes.
An online petition was raised for the town to be given a Royal prefix, but there is very little support for these ideas among residents.
Ellie King, from the Strawberry Patch gift shop just off the High Street said: 'It is not necessary for the town to be named Royal Wootton Bassett. This is not about us; it is about those who have lost their lives fighting for their country.
'It has brought the community closer together because of our common bond over repatriations.'
The bells of St Bartholomew and All Saints Church slowly toll with each repatriation.
The bell ringer Roger Haydock told me, 'It is an eerie feeling. When I toll the bell everything else falls silent.
'There is something in our psyche about bells which tells us that something really important is happening. We are just glad we can do our bit for all those brave people.'


