SCHOOLCHILDREN were among those joined by Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Surrey, Michael More-Molyneux at Farnham’s Armistice Day service last Friday at Gostrey Meadow.

Shortly before 11am, members of the British Legion and reservists from the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment paraded to Gostrey Meadow’s war memorial.

They were met by pupils members of the public, community representatives and local dignitaries to remember those who lost their lives serving in the country’s armed forces, particularly those with links to Farnham and the surrounding area.

After a few words of welcome from the mayor, John Ward, the chairman of the Farnham Branch of the British Legion, Roger Brown, read ‘What is Remembrance’.

This was followed by the reading of ‘They Shall Not Grow Old’ by the Lord Lieutenant and Heidi Barber a pupil from Weydon School.

At 11am, the standard bearer lowered the flag and Laura James, a bugler from Alder Valley Brass Band and two sea cadets from TS Swiftsure played The Last Post. All those in attendance observed a two-minute silence which concluded with the playing of the Reveille.

The silence was followed by the reading of the ‘Kohima Epitaph’ by Percy Bartlett and poems, which children from St. Andrew’s and South Farnham School had written especially for the occasion.

Mr Ward said: “As Her Majesty the Queen’s representative in Surrey, the Lord Lieutenant, Mr Michael More-Molyneux has responsibilities across the county so we are privileged that he chose to join us in Farnham to commemorate Armistice Day this year.

“Armistice Day continues to be an important day in Farnham’s calendar, where young and old and people from all walks of life remember the sacrifices made by members of our armed forces.”

The mayor extended his gratitude to all in attendance and encouraged people to spread the word to bring friends and family to this annual ceremony.

After the ceremony the pupils joined the mayor, Lord Lieutenant and other guests for a reception in the council chamber.

The event was attended by representatives from all the schools in the Fearnhamme Schools’ Confederation, which is a partnership of 12 schools in and around Farnham.

The aim of the confederation is to work together in identifying opportunities for shared learning, provide innovative training across the schools, develop focus groups and networks and share expertise, facilities and resources.