REPRESENTING various organisations in Holsworthy and including a large number of young people, more than 350 people, the highest number for several years, participated in the annual remembrance parade and service last Sunday, November 13, writes Christine Williams.

On an unseasonably mild November afternoon, and watched by a large crowd, they assembled in the square and on the word of command from Detachment Commander 2Lt Jim Harvey, of the Holsworthy Army Cadet Force, they marched to the Parish Church to the drum beat of the town band.

In a packed church the service was led by Father Christopher Penn, and Rev Martin Keenan, of the Methodist Church, preached the sermon. Sid Salter and Sue Jane, of the Royal British Legion, read the lessons and the organist was Margaret Stacey.

After the service the congregation assembled at the war memorial outside where the Portreeve, John Addicott, read out the 63 names on the role of honour.

Sue Lyle, of the town band, sounded the last post and the two minutes’ silence was observed, followed by the exaltation, ‘at the going down of the sun we will remember them’.

Then, while the band played ‘Nearer My God to Thee’ and other appropriate hymns, the mayor of Holsworthy, Cllr Jon Hutchings, and representatives of the Royal British Legion and various of organisations in the town, laid poppy wreaths on the steps of the war memorial.

After the national anthem the standards were raised and the parade marched back to the square where, on behalf of the Royal British Legion, 2Lt Harvey thanked everyone, especially the young people, for taking part.