WE WILL remember them – and in the year that marks the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War, the memory of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the 1914-18 conflict inspired the biggest turnout at the Basingstoke Remembrance Sunday Service for many years.

There has always been a gratifyingly good attendance at the war memorial ceremony in recent years, but this year the number of those who came to pay their respects and remember was considerably larger.

After the parade had gathered at the war memorial, and as the clock ticked towards 11am, a lone Chinook from RAF Odiham flew out of the morning sun and passed overhead.

The Last Post was sounded and then Wing Commander Gareth Bryant, from RAF Odiham, read the familiar exhortation that always carries so much poignancy: ‘They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old. Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we will remember them.”

And remember them we did as the two minutes silence was perfectly observed by the hundreds who had gathered around the war memorial.

Wreaths were laid, hymns were sung and readings given before The Reverend Karen Wellman, who is the mayor’s chaplain, captured the mood of the day, and this significant year, perfectly.

Rev Wellman talked about how so many people have been moved by the display of ceramic poppies in the moat around the Tower of London, but brought home that the casualties of conflict have been considerably more than thousands symbolised by the poppy display.

Rev Wellman said: “These poppies represent only a tiny fraction of the war dead of the 20th century. If there were poppies for those killed at home, in Europe, Africa, the Far East and at sea in the Second World War, and then more poppies for those killed in the conflicts since 1945, then the blood red poppies of lives lost would flow over the banks of the moat, into the Thames and down to the sea.”

Rev Wellman said the life, death and resurrection of Jesus gives hope for a better future, and hope that peace will prevail.

She told the gathering: “Dawn broke on November 11, 1918, and there was the promise of peace. It was a human peace and did not hold. But we do not give up. We have hope.

“We are justifiably proud of those who died in conflicts in the past 100 years. Today we remember and honour those who died, comfort those who grieve, and continue to work for peace, holding on to hope.”

The service ended with the traditional singing of the National Anthem before the blessing was given by the newly installed Bishop of Basingstoke, the Right Reverend David Williams.

There was applause from those gathered at the memorial as the parade left, and after the mayor and civic party had taken the salute as the parade passed the dais in New Road, those who had attended the remembrance ceremony gathered in a marquee for refreshments – a fitting community-orientated finale to a very community-focused event.

REMEMBRANCE Sunday ceremonies took place across The Gazette area last Sunday – and around 300 people of all ages, including war veterans, gathered at the war memorial on Tuesday – Armistice Day – to observe a two-minute silence in memory of those who lost their lives in conflicts, past and present.

The Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane, Councillor Roger Gardiner, and Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council chief executive Tony Curtis, laid a wreath on behalf of the borough council at the memorial.

Cllr Gardiner told The Gazette: “This time of year is the time we remember the sacrifice that the people of Basingstoke and Deane have made.

“Throughout this year, there have been a number of events to commemorate the centenary of the start of the First World War, and it was wonderful to see so many people come for what was a fine day on Sunday. It is important that we remember occasions like this.”