THE Normandy Veterans Association (NVA) held a ceremony to hand over its standard to the All Hallows Church in South Cerney.

The association’s Cirencester branch was established in 1989 and originally had 90 members.

Due to dwindling numbers, the branch disbanded in May 2010. Today, only two of the members are left.

Since the closure of the branch, their standard was not able to find a suitable permanent home.

On Sunday, June 5, however, RAF veteran and surviving NVA member Alan McQuillan, 93, handed over the standard to Reverend Canon David Bowers for safe lodging at the South Cerney church “until such time as it will pass to dust like those whose courage and devotion are enshrined in history”.

The ceremony was attended by members of the 29th Regiment and the Royal British Legion South Cerney.