YEARS of hard work and fundraising paid off when Bordon and WhitehillÕs much-anticipated war memorial was finally officially unveiled on Monday.
More than 130 people braved the rain to gather by the memorial in Camp Road for the poignant service.
The ceremony involved the Whitehill Bordon War Memorial Association, Whitehill Town Council, 4 Battalion REME, Whitehill Police, the Royal British Legion and the Canadian VeteransÕ Association.
The service started with an address by Padre Tyrone Hillary, the chaplain to the forces in Bordon, and the guests then sang O God, Our Help In Ages Past.
Wreaths were laid around the memorial by town mayor Chris Wain, Colonel Roger Owen of the Bordon Garrison, Inspector Gerry Thorne of Whitehill Police, Whitehill Town Council and Al Cunningham, the national president of the Canadian VeteransÕ Association.
In his speech Colonel Owen said: ÒIt is a fitting tribute to all those from Bordon and Whitehill, who lost their lives in the two world wars and other campaigns since 1914, that this memorial has been erected in their memory.Ó
A book of remembrance containing 49 names of fallen soldiers has been put together and many relatives whose loved ones died in service alsolaid wreaths at the unveiling ceremony.
Steve Johnson, secretary of Whitehill Bordon War Memorial Association, said he was delighted that the hard work of so many people had seen the monument completed.
ÒEveryone came up and said they liked the memorial, which is of polished granite because we wanted to try to get the best we could,Ó he said.
Town and district councillor Adam Carew said: ÒI think Steve Johnson and all the members of the Whitehill Bordon War Memorial Association should be thanked for all their hard work in bringing this project to fruition and making the event such a great success.
ÒDespite the showers, I was delighted to see the ceremony so well attended. The occasion was very moving.Ó
Funding is still needed to set up block paving around the memorial base, and anyone who would like to make a contribution should contact Steve Johnson on 01420 472555.