FOREIGN Secretary Jeremy Hunt, the Tory MP for South West Surrey, joined Canadian and British representatives of the armed forces and civc dignitaries to unveil a new memorial at Milford Common next to the cemetery.

Carved in Portland stone by Simon Keeley, the memorial was erected in gratitude to all Canadian soldiers based in training camps on Milford and Witley Commons in WWI and WWII.

The unveiling took place during a special remembrance and wreath laying service at the common, which was part of a series of commemorations funded by Waverley Borough Council to mark 100 years since the end of WWI.

Waverley Mayor Denise Le Gal, who was part of the group that organised the procurement of the memorial, said: “In 1915 a training camp was set up on Witley Common, extending to Milford Common, where many British and Canadian soldiers trained together before being sent to France.

“One hundred years on, the special bond between the two countries is still going strong. Being able to commemorate the sacrifice made by the Canadian soldiers was truly special. It was a day we will all remember forever and as a citizen of both countries I felt hugely proud to be a part of it.

“I’d like to thank Waverley Borough Council, the National Trust and Witley county councillor Peter Martin, who helped to secure funding.”

Canadian Forces Support Unit chaplain Lt Lesley Fox said: “One of the lessons our soldiers learned by living and training together was the lesson of gratitude.

“They discovered in each other their God-given humanity, and we remember what they gave ?in order to build a better world.”

Also present were Major Daniel Martimbeault of the Canadian Armed Forces, Sergeant Peter Jones from the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment, Surrey Deputy Lieutenant Commander Susan Lochner, High Sheriff Jim Glover and Waverley council leader Julia Potts, who are pictured above with Mr Hunt, the Haslemere MP.