A CELEBRATION took place in Farnham to mark Commonwealth Day last Monday.

A century ago three million men and women volunteered from all corners of the world to fight for a king and country many had never seen. They gave up their jobs, their families and often their lives to face hardship and unspeakable horrors, from the mud of the Western Front, to the swamps and deserts of Mesopotamia and East Africa.

Representatives from the community assembled outside the town council offices to hear council leader John Ward read a message from the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, His Excellency Kamalesh Sharma.

This was followed by the Mayor of Farnham, Pat Frost, reading the Commonwealth affirmation. She was then joined by students from Barfield and Waverley Abbey School who helped to unfurl the Commonwealth flag.

The assembled guests joined members of the Royal British Legion and proceeded to the War Memorial for a short ceremony to remember the soldiers.

Speaking after the event, Mrs Frost, said: “The commemoration was both poignant and celebratory. I would like to thank the cadets and students from Waverley Abbey, Heath End and Barfield for joining us as representatives of the Young Commonwealth.

“It was also lovely to welcome members of the Royal British Legion and soldiers from The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment.”