Remembrance

The Remembrance Day Service on Friday 11 November was held at the Town’s War Memorial which was organised by Whitehill Town Council with support from volunteers from local community groups, partner organisations and the local branch of The Royal British Legion.

Members of the local community attended the Service to pay their respects to all those who have selflessly given and sacrificed so much for the freedom of future generations and to honour members of the Armed Forces past and present. All those in attendance honoured the two-minute silence at 11.00am.

EHDC Chairman Cllr Sally Pond, The Town Mayor Cllr Leeroy Scott, Hampshire County Cllr Andy Tree and MP Damian Hinds all laid wreaths during the Service which was conducted by The Reverend Wendy Mallas.

Representatives from the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force attended the Service, including Col Mike Pendlington, President of the Bordon Branch of the REME Association; Lt Col Mark Ludlow from Longmoor Army Training Camp; The Royal British Legion; Lions International; the Police; Hampshire Fire & Rescue Service; The Reverend Iain Robertson, St Mark’s Shared Church; Oakmoor School Head Students Thomas Copley and Caitlin Sobey and pupils from Bordon Junior School who read poems they had written for the Service. Relatives of the fallen and members of the public were also given the opportunity to lay wreaths.

Children from local schools were invited to lay 69 crosses at the War Memorial in honour of each of the names on the town’s Roll of Honour, a copy of which is retained in the town’s library.

Col Mike Pendlington read the names of the fallen from the Roll of Honour, followed by EHDC Cllr Adam Carew.

Following the main Service, The Reverend Wendy Mallas conducted a short service at the Canadian Memorial Garden in Budds Lane and the Military Cemetery in Bolley Avenue where The Mayor laid a wreath at both sites on behalf of the Town Council and the local community.

Members of St Matthew’s Church, who organised and served refreshments at the Service would like to pass on their thanks to those members of the public who made a donation to the Church for the refreshments provided. As in previous years, the Church will donate the funds received to the local branch of the RBL’s Poppy Appeal.