War heroes remembered (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

War heroes remembered

PEOPLE from across the district gathered at war memorials to lay wreaths and attended services on Sunday to honour those who have died for their country.

War veterans and local residents gathered in the centre of Cirencester to pay their respects to fallen colleagues.

A special service in the packed Parish Church was followed by wreath laying and a parade, led by the Cirencester Town Band, through the Market Place.

People, some in full military uniform, congregated around the war memorial for the ceremony, which was presided over by the Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire Henry Elwes.

Meanwhile, another service was held at the town's Stratton church, where residents gathered to lay wreaths and observe a short silence in memory of the war dead.

A service at All Hallows Church in South Cerney was followed by a parade - led by soldiers from 29 Regiment Royal Logistic Corps - to the war memorial.

The Rev John Calvert, who led the service, said: "I think it's a very moving and important occasion that we need to keep going.

"Soldiers are giving their lives now and it's important to remember those who died in the two World Wars.

"There was a large contingent of soldiers from the South Cerney barracks as well as members of the Royal British Legion and a number of uniformed organisations in attendance including Brownies and Cubs."

In Cricklade a service was held at St Sampson's Church after a two minute silence and wreath laying ceremony took place at the war memorial.

Cricklade Band led the march from the Parish Hall to the town hall. Malmesbury paid a moving tribute to its war dead on Remembrance Sunday.

Following a wreath-laying service in the morning at the Memorial Gates near St Aldhelm's Mead, war veterans, including Chelsea Pensioner Noel Wright, filed past a guard of honour made up of Gurkhas from the nearby Hullavington army base for the afternoon's service of remembrance, together with hundreds of other people who came to pay their respects.

Malmesbury mayor Cllr Charles Vernon said: "There was a very good attendance- there was hardly a spare seat.

"The 992 Air Training Corps were on parade with their standard, and the 9th Supply Regiment from Hullavington provided us with a guard of honour.

"The archdeacon of Malmesbury, the Ven Alan Hawker led the service and has some very appropriate words to say.

"It certainly was a very fitting tribute."

Malmesbury Royal British Legion chairman Derek Tilney said: "The attendance was far greater than we could have imagined, but I think it has a lot to do with people knowing there are almost 400 people from the local area who are currently serving in Iraq- remeberance is not just for the past, but for the future too."

St Mary's Church in Fairford was packed as a Remembrance Service took place on Sunday morning.

It was followed by the placing of new wreaths at the town's memorial in the churchyard.

A service took place in Lechlade at St Lawrence Church, where a wreath was laid at the memorial inside the church during the service.

Hundreds of people gathered in Moreton-in-Marsh High Street to watch the town's Remembrance Sunday parade.

Representatives of the Royal Marines, Gloucestershire Regiment, Royal British Legion, Fire Brigade, Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes, Cubs, Girl Guides, Brownies and other organisations marched.

Cotswold MP, Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, was among the people who attended the wreath laying ceremony at the War Memorial, where the salute was taken by Major Paul Ayshford-Sandford.

David Baker, Moreton Royal British Legion branch chairman, said: "It was a good turn out and the rain held off until we got back to the Legion."

He said they did not yet know how much money the town's Poppy Appeal raised.

The organisers of Stow-on-the-Wold's Remembrance Sunday parade reported they were happy with how the event went.

Dr Derek Robinson, Stow Royal British Legion branch chairman, led the parade with Lionel Kitchingman, its president.

The parade marched to the music of Cheltenham's St Andrew's Band and included representatives of the Brownies, Girl Guides and other organisations.

Hundreds of people watched it march to St Edward's Church, where the remembrance service and wreath laying ceremony was held at Stow War Memorial.

Moreton-in-Marsh Army Cadets carried the wreaths to the memorial from the back of the church.

Dougie King, Stow's Poppy Appeal organiser, said they did not yet know the final total for this year's appeal but it had so far raised £4,400. He said: "I would like to thank everybody for their help."