A HUGE crowd of people from infants in pushchairs to veterans of the last world war gathered at the Gostrey Meadow war memorial under clear blue skies on Remembrance Sunday to pay their respects to all those who have fallen in the service of their country.

The traditional commemorations began with a procession of serving soldiers of A Company, 3rd Battalion Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment, the Royal British Legion standard bearers, cadet forces, Scouting groups, public services and civic dignitaries to the memorial to the tune of the Alder Valley Brass Band.

This was followed by a sombre service of remembrance led by the new Rector of Farnham, Reverend David Uffindell, at Gostrey Meadow, complimented by a number of readings beginning with the moving First World War poem ‘Remember Me’ read by the Mayor of Farnham, John Ward.

Chairman of the Royal British Legion Farnham branch Roger Brown reaffirmed the meaning of Remembrance Sunday, after which Rev Uffindell prayed for “all who in bereavement, disability and pain continue to suffer the consequences of fighting and terror”.

A reading of Laurence Binyon’s 1914 ‘Ode of Remembrance’ was shared by vice-president of the Royal British Legion Farnham branch Percy Bartlett on behalf of veterans and a younger member of the congregation - prompting all present to affirm the final line “we will remember them”.

The Last Post, performed by trumpeter Steve Burgess of the Alder Valley Brass Band, then signalled the beginning of the two minute silence at 11am, impeccably observed against the backdrop of a piper’s mournful lament.

Mr Burgess returned to give a rendition of Reveille, the traditional bugle call that awakens Commonwealth soldiers at dawn, followed by Mr Bartlett’s reading of the ‘Kohima Epitaph’ - “When you go home, tell them of us and say, for your tomorrow, we gave our today.”

Wreathes and crosses were then laid on the memorial by community figures including Deputy Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey, Brigadier Roger Hood, the officer commanding A Company, 3rd Battalion PWRR, the Mayor of Farnham and Herald proprietor and veteran of the 1944-1945 Far East campaign Sir Ray Tindle.

Rev Uffindell brought the service to a close with a final prayer: “Ever-living God, we remember those whom you have gathered from the storm of war into the peace of your presence; may that same peace calm our fears, bring justice to all peoples and establish harmony among the nations, through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Following the service, the parade left for a march past of the council offices in South Street where a salute was taken by Brigadier Hood, Mr Bartlett and the mayor and on to St Andrew’s Church for a further service of remembrance.

Many people remained at the Gostrey Meadow war memorial to read the many wreaths and enjoy hot drinks offered by members of the Emmanuel Church congregation.

Remembrance Day services were also observed at St George’s Church, Badshot Lea, attended by the Mayor of Waverley and ward councillor Christopher Storey, St Thomas-on-the Bourne, St Peter’s Wrecclesham, St James’ Elstead, and St John’s Hale and in Weybourne.