HUNDREDS turned out for the Remembrance Day parade and service in Petersfield town centre on Sunday.

To the solemn thump of a drum, the parade of armed forces veterans, army, navy and air force cadets and scouting and guiding groups from Petersfield marched into The Square and came to rest facing St Peter’s Church.

There the vicar, the Rev Will Hughes, led a short service of remembrance and gave a powerful and moving address on the theme of sacrifice and hope.

The parade then marched down the High Street to the War Memorial, past pavements packed with poppy-wearing spectators.

At the memorial there were short prayers, the names on the roll of honour of the 112 from Petersfield who died in the First World War, the 61 who died in the Second World War, and Lieutenant Commander Glen Robinson-Moltke, who died in the Falklands conflict and Royal Marine Richard Hollington who died in Afghanistan, were read out.

Wreaths were laid by local dignitaries from councils and town organisations, MP Damian Hinds, and on behalf of His Majesty the King, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire Alan Titchmarsh.

A lone trumpeter played the Last Post and Reveille. With bowed heads, the silent crowd stood unmoving for the two-minute silence, and then the new national anthem, God Save the King, was sung.