AS the Queen and the nation’s leaders attended the Cenotaph in London, acknowledging the end of the Second World War 70 years ago and the Battle of Britain 75 years ago, so Holybourne came together on Saturday to mark the village’s contribution to the war effort.

Storm clouds, rain and leaden skies added an air of poignancy as the air raid siren stopped at 10.45am, calling the villagers to gather around the memorial at the junction of Howards Lane and London Road, and the parade marched-on from the car park of St Andrews Endowed School.

At the same time, the Holybourne Village Association invited dignitaries and speakers gathered at the war memorial, having assembled in the Old Prince of Wales, where Roger and Gwyneth Eldridge offered a Stirrup Cup.

With the roads closed to traffic, the Royal British Legion’s Band of Old Basing, led by Drum Major Bill Prendergast, led the parade. Sergeant Tom Bagley, from the Alton Air Cadets, acted as parade marshal, coordinating the standards of the British Legion and RAF Association Standards, followed by the Army and air cadets, the Scouts and, finally, Andrews Endowed School, shepherded by headteacher Maria Lloyd.

Memorial event organiser Major Adrian Stratta introduced the event and welcomed padre Wendy Mallas to conduct the service.

This year’s decorated guest and speaker was General Sir Hew Pike, who presented a personal and historical reflection of his own family’s experiences, across four generations, of leaving a Hampshire village to fight.

David Tomlinson, the current Holybourne Village Association chairman, read the names of the fallen from the First World War, followed by the Exhortation read by Brigadier Tim Carmichael. Trumpeter Tony Wilman played The Last Post, as the standards were dipped at 11am.

During the two-minute silence, the wind and rain whipped the parade as the standard bearers fought to retain their composure and posture, only relieved by the playing of Reveille, as the Union Flag was raised by Cadet Sergeant D Kauth.

The laying of the wreaths was led first by the Queen’s representative, Deputy Lord Lieutenant Alan Titchmarsh, a keen and active village supporter, followed by East Hampshire MP Damian Hinds.

Leading the civic dignitaries was Alton town mayor Pam Jones, followed by county councillor Andrew Joy, district councillor Glynis Watts and town councillor James Voller, and Mr Tomlinson for the Holybourne Village Association.

On behalf of the Armed Forces, Commander John Fitzpatrick RN, Brigadier Tim Carmichael and Flight Lieutenant Michael Jones, SMO RAF Odiham laid their wreaths before the Royal British Legion, for the branch Derek Morne and club Emma Murrell, and the RAF Association Pop Chandler.

For the village, the school laid a wreath they had made, before Helen Walters laid the Holybourne Church wreath, Squadron Leader Jack Robson for the Masons, and Reginald Cuff RE finally represented the Lawn Residential Home.

Colonel Max Joy read the Kohima Epitaph, Padre Wendy conducted the Act of Commitment and the blessing, and Sgt Bagley marched the parade off.

The band were particularly enjoyed by the residents of The Lawn Residential Home, sitting sheltered by the road under a gazebo.

In an especially poignant, unscripted moment, Mr Titchmarsh and assembled councillors posed for their photographs and greeted the residents to hear memories recalling the dark days and relief from 70 years ago.

The parade ended at The White Hart pub, to receive remembrance punch offered by Mark and Sam.

As old comrades recalled past glories and new friends were made, clearly we will remember them.