ST MARY’S Church in Bramshott was filled to capacity for Sunday’s annual Remembrance Service, conducted by Reverend Valentine Inglis-Jones.

The congregation was asked to remember those who had fallen during two world wars, as well as more recent casualties and survivors of the Afghan and Iraq wars, who still bare their battle scars, during the two-minute silence.

The service also commemorated the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Jutland, one of the biggest naval battles fought in recent history during the First World War, when 10,000 lives were lost in just a couple of days.

This summer the nation remembered the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme, which combined British and French Armed Forces fighting against the German Empire between July and November 1916, which has been described as the bloodiest battle ever fought on the Western Front with 57,470 casualties reported on the first day and more than one million killed over four months.

In his address, minister Alan Geddes mentioned boy seaman John Cornwell, aged 16, who had only just joined the navy and was killed on the HMS Chester during WWI, while never leaving his post or his gun.

He was later awarded one of the greatest honours for his gallantry, the Victoria Cross.

He also spoke of the Rev Theodore Hardy, who aged 51 was regarded too old initially to join the army but who insisted and went to the Somme as temporary chaplain to the forces.

Later he was awarded a VC for his actions of bravery, as well as the Military Cross and the Distinguished Service Order.

Another hero was Lance Corporal William Hewitt, a South African soldier, who fought in the First World War and was awarded a VC. Hewitt’s medal is on permanent loan to the Imperial War Museum from Framingham College, Suffolk.

It was given to the school by his wife after his death.

Rev Geddes reflected on the fact it is easier to remember those who had fallen in battle, but that it is just as important to remember those who had returned with broken bodies and broken minds.

He praised the Royal British Legion, which was formed after the First World War in 1921 for servicemen and their families, the annual Poppy Appeal and Help For Heroes and the work they all do to support those who have been in war zones, have experienced battles and who need looking after. He also commemorated WWII Dunkirk veteran Ted Pilgrim (pictured right), who passed away aged 97 earlier this year and who would come to the service each year and lay a wreath at the War Memorial supported by his two grandsons Lewis and Edward, who both served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Members of Liphook Scouts and Guides joined Armed Forces personnel and civic dignitries for the village’s tribute to the Fallen.

Alex Clark had the honour of leading the procession of standards into the church, carrying the Union Jack, followed by Bob Hall, carrying the Royal British Legion Standard. The Liphook Sub Branch of the RBL was represented by Lt Col James Jack and Col John Boyd.

The Scouts Standard was carried by Louis Ord, the Explorer Scouts Standard by Simon Hicks, and the Cub Standards by William McAlley, Josh Boxell and Adam Clackson. Liphook Girl Guiding was represented by Georgina Clark, who carried the Rangers Standard, accompanied by Pippa Hesselman and Jessica Boyce and Cara Greyson with the Brownies Standard, escorted by Rose Clark and Celine Deuble.

The first hymn ‘Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven’ was sung as the standards were received into the church.

Rev Valentine Inglis-Jones welcomed the congregation saying that during the service not only men from Liphook and Bramshott, who died fighting in two world wars, would be remembered, but also all those who have given their lives in numerous conflicts since, those who are serving today and those who suffered and continue to suffer injury and trauma caused by war.

The first reading was conducted by Major Craig Beeforth, followed by the Act of Penitence. The congregation sang the second hymn ‘O God, Our Help in Ages Past,’ followed by the second reading from the Bible, which was delivered by Kesia Sousin.

After the Lord’s prayer, Kay Murray read out the poignant poem On Flanders Fields - a war poem written during the First World War by Canadian Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae.

The last hymn of the service, ‘Abide With Me’ was followed by the National Anthem and the Roll of Honour, before the procession moved to the War Memorial outside.

Once everyone had gathered there, the first wreath was laid by Dennis Healey for the Royal British Legion. The parish council wreath was laid by Jane Ives and Jeanette Kirby with the East Hampshire District Council wreath laid by Angela Glass and Bill Mouland.

Alice Burrows and Kadence Vaughn laid the wreaths from the Scouts, Cubs, Guides and Brownies, while Jeremy Meekins laid a wreath on behalf of Liphook fire station. The Last Post and Reveille were played by First Liphook Scout Jesse Cuie and The Exhortations were read by Lt Col James Jack.