DROITWICH gathered to remember those who had served in a particularly poignant Remembrance Sunday service for the town.
The annual service at the towns war memorial held extra significance as it also marked 80 years since the end of the Second World War.
It came just days after the names of five ‘forgotten’ Second World War heroes- RAF Flying Officer Bernard Belcher, RAF Captain HJ Jeffcoat, Sgt Robert Hall, Jack Haslam and Pte Douglas Patrick McDornell- were added to the memorial.
Crowds gathered to see the magnificent Remembrance parade march from Droitwich Police Station to the war memorial.
The service began shortly before 11am, with Rev Laura Handy’s opening words highlighting the importance of committing ourselves to work for reconciliation between nations and for all people to live in freedom, justice and peace.
Those gathered then joined in singing the hymn ‘Praise My Soul, The King Of Heaven’.
The exhortation was then read before The Last Post was played, followed by an impeccably observed two minutes silence.
Following the silence, the Reveille was played and the Kohima Epitaph was read.
Dozens of people and organisations then laid a wreath at the war memorial, including representatives of Droitwich Town Council and MP Nigel Huddleston.
Other groups to lay a wreath included the Royal British Legion, West Mercia Police, Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service, Droitwich Community Choir and the Friends of Droitwich Spa Lido.
One of the most emotional moments of the day was when Burma Veteran Eric Davis stepped up to the war memorial to commemorate his fallen comrades.
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After the service, Eric, who turned 100 earlier this year, said he was determined to come to the service and lay a wreath in remembrance.
Following the wreath laying, a prayer was read and the national anthem was sung.
Several bible readings were held and the crowd joined in the singing of a closing hymn, I Vow To Thee, My Country.
And after some final thoughts from Rev Handy and a blessing, the parade was dismissed.
Rev Handy told the standard: “The world is sadly very divided but today shows a remarkable amount of unity.
“It is always amazing to see how many people choose to turn up to remember those who have fallen.
“This year was extra special with Eric who despite turning 100 was so committed to coming and remembering his comrades, it was really beautiful to see him do that.
“The five names being added to the war memorial this year is really poignant, as it reminds you there’s so many heroes in war whose stories we don’t know.
“Privilege is too light a word to express how I feel being able to lead services like this.”
