ST MARY’S Church in Bramshott was once again filled to capacity for this year’s Remembrance Sunday service.

It was the Girl Guides’ turn to lead the procession of standards into the church, with the Union Flag carried by Amy Walker, alongside Rosie Morgan-Clue and Freya Anderson, followed by Terry Burns holding the Royal British Legion standard.

The Explorer Scouts’ standard was carried by Luke Evans escorted by Oscar Peterson and Duncan Codd, followed by the Scouts’ standard carried by Owen Willett with Luke Middleton and Louis Ord.

This year, the three Cub Scout units each had their own standard – Wheatsheaf was carried by William McCauley with Simon Winnan and Oliver Fewings, Downlands by Ben Tyllen with Louis Whiller and Tom Walker, and Oakhanger by Ollie Gunner with Issac Garfoot and James Clacson.

The Girl Guiding Rangers’ standard was carried by Rosie Lumskey escorted by Hester Crouch and Rachael Hains, Lottie Tellyn was escorted by Evie Weston and Elanor Walker for 1st Liphook Guides, Paige Anderson and Katie Groves escorted Kasia Sosin for 2nd Liphook Guides, the 2nd Brownies’ standard was carried by Annalise Vaughan with Millie Sewell and Amber Stonehouse followed by Sophie Allington and Felicity Jenkinson escorting Emilia Boxell with the 4th Liphook Brownies’ standard and, finally, Grace Gorton escorted by Gabriella Gorton and Connie Cook with the 5th Brownies’ standard.

The first hymn – I Vow To Thee My Country – was sung as the standards were received into the church. Reverend Valentine Inglis-Jones welcomed the congregation before the reading from Joshua by Reverend Tony Halsey and the Act of Penitence.

The second hymn – Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus – was followed by the second reading from Mark.

Rev Inglis-Jones reminded the congregation of the poignancy of this year’s service and mentioned the important work Liphook-based Canon Andrew White does for refugees from war-torn Iraq.

In his address, lay minister Alan Geddes spoke of the prevalence of the 66,000 war memorials throughout the UK – three of which are placed in the parish – and how they provided a touchstone to the past.

He spoke of Harry Richardson whose name appears on the Bramshott war memorial and who died at the age of 19 on September 1, 1914, from wounds received a day earlier, only a few weeks after joining up.

He is buried in Baron Communal Cemetery, at Oise, France, and Mr Geddes and Colonel Jimmy Jack recently visited the grave to lay a wreath.

A two-minute silence was observed at 11am and the final hymn in the service was O God Our Help In Ages Past, during which the standards were returned to their bearers.

The National Anthem was sung and the Roll of Honour read before the congregation moved to the war memorial.

Once everyone had gathered, the first wreath was laid by Den Healey on behalf of the Royal British Legion.

The Bramshott and Liphook Parish Council wreath was laid by Michael Croucher, with the East Hampshire District Council wreath laid by Angela Glass and Rebecca Standish.

Lucy Fewings laid the wreath from the Cubs and Scouts, Ottilie Peterson and Caitlin Brand’s on behalf of the Guides and Brownies.

Other wreaths were laid by 96-year-old Royal Artillery veteran Ted Pilgrim and his two great-grandsons, as well as Cynthia Dennis and Jed Meekins on hehalf of Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Liphook station.

The Last Post and Reveille were played by Peter Hindson of Churcher’s College Junior School and the exhortations were read by Den Healey.

At Guildford Cathedral, Canon White was preaching the Remembrance Day service and met up with his old friend and former colleague, the Venerable Stuart Beak, before spending time at home with his family.