WHITEHILL and Bordon fell silent on Sunday as members of the community marked 100 years since the First World War officially came to an end.

The annual Remembrance Service is an important fixture in the town’s calendar thanks to its rich military heritage which, like Armistice traditions, also spans a century.

People observed the customary silence at 11am on Sunday, November 11, paying tribute to those who lost their lives between 1914 and 1918, during the most violent conflict, in terms of scale, the world had ever seen.

With statues, silhouettes, hand-crafted poppies, this year’s centenary commemorations saw countless tokens of remembrance from the community.

But the service itself was traditional territory, featuring hymns, wreath laying and the reading of the names from the town’s Roll of Honour.

The Mayor of Whitehill Leslie Webber said she was proud to be part of Sunday’s special event.

“There was such a delightful mix of people – military, both serving and retired, young cadets, and those from the Scouts and Guides and their younger members, as well as representatives from the police and fire services,” she said.

“All of them standing together to respect those lost.

“Many members of our community laid wreaths during the service. The site was filled with so many people wishing to pay their respects. Thank you to all those who helped to make the day such a success for everyone.”

This was the second year the service had been put on by Whitehill Town Council (WTC), after Royal British Legion (RBL) member Steve Johnson stood down from organisation duties.

Councillor Adam Carew, East Hampshire District Council’s armed forces champion, thanked WTC and the RBL for “such a well organised and fitting Remembrance Service” conducted by the Rev Wendy Mallas.

There were also readings from councillors, RBL members, local students and clergy from St Matthew’s Church in Blackmoor and St Mark’s in Bordon.

“Having lost family members in the Great War, it is always a great honour for me to read out the names of our 69 fallen,” Mr Carew added. “Not only did they pay the ultimate sacrifice but when you read out names of local families you have grown up with, the awful impact and sense of loss their families must of gone through really hits you.

“It is a sobering thought that the Great War was supposed to be the war to end all wars but within 21 years the world would be at war again.

“First Bordon, Blackmoor and Whitehill Cubs and Scouts laid poppy crosses for each of our fallen serviceman as I read out the names of our roll of honour.

“Next year we hope to produce a commemorative book about each of our 69 fallen servicemen.

“It will take time to research and obtain original photos, but if the RBL are able to do the research I will be very honoured to grant fund it.”

The town’s war memorial was also flanked on Sunday by two outline statues, produced by the community for the service.

The council thanked David Chescoe for making the statues free of charge; the Future Skills Centre for its manpower and installation, and Goldburn Finishers for sandblasting and powder coating the metal, creating a poignant display.

Schools have also been focusing on the importance of Remembrance, as have Bordon sports teams such as the Wey Valley Under-nines Warriors.

The team held a silence at the weekend and, ahead of their game, presented members of the RBL with a poppy wreath.

“I just thought this was an extra way for the children to pay their respects,” said manager Darren Oakley.

Mr Carew said this year’s Remembrance has been “a real coming together of our local community”. “We are very proud of our military traditions in our town but I think we have shown we can still organise an excellent service even though we no longer have Bordon Garrison,” he added.