Remembrance Day tribute
Taunton and Wellington’s MP, Gideon Amos, paid tribute to our country’s Armed Forces and veterans during a Remembrance Day speech in Parliament.
He said it had been a privilege to attend events in both towns to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
“At the time of VJ Day, I paid tribute to three photographic reconnaissance unit pilots who lost their lives - two of them from Wellington and one from Taunton.
“Today, I would like to place on record the memory of Corporal Tom Gaden of the Rifles, who tragically lost his life to an IED in 2009 in the Afghanistan campaign.
“I also pay tribute to those who have continued to serve their community, such as Lieutenant Colonel Ray Hall MBE (retired), the president of Taunton Royal British Legion, and Michael Rose, who recently retired as president of Wellington Royal British Legion.
“I also pay thanks to the town of Wellington for maintaining the tradition of holding its Remembrance Service on the Sunday afternoon, so that the Member of Parliament can attend both of those two massively important events in our calendar.“
Gideon added: “On Friday, the parents of two serving officers came to my surgery to talk to me about their housing conditions.
“I was proud to be able to report - on behalf of the whole House - that moves have recently been made on improving military service family accommodation.
“I was privileged to play a small part in that, as our housing spokesperson in Committee for the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, to secure the decent homes standard for service family accommodation.
“I warmly welcome the Government’s £9 billion for military housing, and I hope that the single living accommodation review will follow fast on the heels of the service family accommodation promises that have been made.
“I also pay tribute to those veterans who continue to live in Taunton and Wellington, who are now perhaps some of the last veterans of the Second World War in our communities.”
Gideon singled out William Spiller, a former leading aircraftman from Taunton, who celebrates his 100th birthday on December 8th.
“When I telephoned him this morning, he asked me why I was bothering with phoning - 'Doesn’t everybody text these days?’ - and he followed that up by sending me a text.
“With a spirit like that, I can understand how he and the rest of the RAF defeated the Luftwaffe!”
Closing the debate, Louise Sandher-Jones, Minister for Veterans and People, said Gideon had spoken "movingly", adding: "I wish William Spiller a happy 100th birthday for December - by text!"