HOLYBOURNE residents gathered at the war memorial on London Road on Saturday to remember those from the village who made the ultimate sacrifice in two worlds wars and more recent conflicts in the name of peace and freedom.

As the air-raid siren sounded to call the village to prayer, the parade marched from Andrews Endowed School car park led by the Royal British Legion Band of Old Basing.

With the road closed for the occasion, parade marshall Sergeant Tom Bagley, from the air cadets, coordinated the standards of the Royal British Legion and RAF Association as they led the troops from the Army and air cadets, the Scouts, and finally pupils from Eggar’s and Andrews Endowed schools.

They were received at the war memorial by event organiser Major (Retd) Adrian Stratta (PARA) who welcomed Padre Wendy Mallas to conduct the service.

The previous day, Prince Harry had read the Richard Brooke poem The Soldier at the National Memorial Arboretum, only to be upstaged by Holybourne’s own poets, with a reading by Deputy Lieutenant Alan Titchmarsh, who had chosen to read local poet Edward Thomas’ As the Team’s Head Brass from 100 years ago, painting a vivid picture of rural Hampshire life being impacted by the ravages of war.

Mr Titchmarsh then introduced 11-year-old Henry Brand, who is in his last year at Andrews Endowed School, who recited John McCrae’s poignant poem In Flanders Field.

Holybourne Village Association chairman David Tomlinson then read the names of the fallen from the First World War, followed by the Exhortation read by Brigadier Tim Carmichael. Trumpeter Tony Wilman played The Last Post as the standards were dipped at 11am for the two-minute silence.

The playing of Reveille saw the standards raised and the first wreath was the laid by Mr Titchmarch, followed by East Hampshire MP Damian Hinds, Alton mayor Matthew Bayliss, county and district councillors Andrew Joy and Glynis Watts, and Mr Tomlinson.

Wreaths were laid on behalf of the Armed Forces by CPO Ian Shepherd, RN, Brigadier Tim Carmichael and Wg Cmd Tess Pestridge, SMO RAF Odiham, followed by Derek Morne for the Royal British Legion and Pop Chandler for the RAF Association.

For the village, the Scouts and the schools laid their wreaths, before Holybourne’s curate, Reverend Chris Bradish, laid the Holybourne Church wreath, followed by the Masons and Mr Wombell, representing the Friends of the Elderly Residential Home.

Colonel Max Joy read the Kohima Epitaph, before the Reverend Andrew Micklefield conducted the Act of Commitment and the blessing.

Sgt Bagley then marched the parade off to the White Hart to receive the warm reception and remembrance punch offered by landlord and landlady Mark and Sam Adamson.

In thanking them for this final act of community spirit as the village publicans, Maj Stratta gave thanks also to Roger and Gwyneth Eldridge for their kindness in welcoming the invited dignitaries and speakers who assembled in the Old Prince of Wales where they were offered a customary Stirrup Cup.