PETERSFIELD came together to honour those from the town who died in war.

Hundreds of people gathered in The Square for the annual Remembrance Sunday parade and service, held in warm sunny weather.

Organised by the Petersfield branch of the Royal British Legion, the annual commemoration has grown in size and in number of those attending.

Royal British Legion chairman Commander Clive Lewis, Royal Navy (retired) said: “It was excellent, there was a really good turnout, mind you the lovely weather helped.

“The service in The Square was very good, and the vicar Will Hughes gave an excellent sermon.

“A couple of young people fainted, either because they had been standing at attention for too long, or perhaps hadn’t had enough breakfast.

“Next year we will be asking St John’s ambulance medics to attend.

“But for the first time all three major schools in and around the town were involved, which was great.

“Churchers College orchestra provided the music, and for the first time The Petersfield School choir sang, they were very good.

“And finally Bedales students handed out the Order of Service pamphlets and took round the Poppy Appeal buckets, collecting £1,500 toward the appeal, which was fantastic.”

After the service in The Square the parade of veterans, British Legion members, serving servicemen, the Salvation Army Band, Petersfield Air Cadets, Churcher’s College Combined Cadet Force, Petersfield Scouts, Cubs, Beavers, Guides, Brownies and Rainbows marched to the War Memorial in the High Street.

There the names of those from Petersfield who died in war, 175, were recited by air cadets and combined cadet force members, to the silent crowd filling the High Street from side to side, and surrounding the memorial on three sides.

Wreaths were laid by representatives of the armed forces and local dignitaries such as Petersfield Mayor, james Deane.

Cmdr Lewis said: “Trumpeter Lucy Humphris, who used to go to Churchers, drove back from London where she is studying music to play The Last post and Reveille at the ceremony.

“It was a real ceremony everyone appreciated it.”

And in a generous and much appreciated gesture, an unknown benefactor left money in a plastic bag at Nero’s Café in The Square to buy customers who attended the service and ceremony, a coffee afterward.