THE chairman of the Royal British Legion in Oxfordshire said the “brilliant” turnout for Remembrance Sunday in her town reflected the respect shown across the county.

Lynda Atkins, who as Mayor of Wallingford also led the proceedings there, said her town, like others, was packed with people of all ages, from toddlers to old soldiers in their 90s.

She and other councillors and dignitaries left the town hall at 10.40am and paraded into the Market Square.

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Following the two minutes’ silence Mrs Atkins laid the first wreath, followed by other town organisations and residents, during which the names of the fallen were read.

Oxford Mail:

Wantage MP Ed Vaizey lays a wreath

WANTAGE: Ed Vaizey, the communications minister, attended his local Remembrance Sunday service yesterday.

Hundreds of veterans, soldiers and civilians turned out for the Wantage service at Ss Peter and Paul Church.

They watched as Wantage MP Mr Vaizey lay a wreath at the town war memorial alongside Vale of White Horse District Council leader Matt Barber and town mayor StJohn Dickson.

Mr Vaizey said: “I thought it was a moving occasion and very well attended by hundreds of people, reminding us how seriously people take these events.”

He said the church service, led by Father John Salter, was “beautiful”.

ABINGDON: Hundreds of people packed the square around the town’s war memorial to show their respects.

Town leaders met at the Guildhall at 9.30am and then walked to St Helen’s Church, led by Mayor Helen Pighills, for the traditional 10am service. An hour later people gathered at the war memorial, joined by troops from nearby Dalton Barracks.

Oxford Mail:

The Remembrance Parade in Abingdon which was led by Mayor Helen Pighills

Town councillor Mike Badcock, who is also chairman of Vale of White Horse District Council said there was a “fantastic” turnout.

He said: “The vicar’s address in the church was superb: I read In Flanders Fields at the start of the service and he based his address around it.”

At the war memorial, a senior officer from Dalton Barracks read the exhortation which was read at every service: “They shall not grow old as we that are left grow old; age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

“At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.”

WITNEY: Mayor Jim King led the ceremony in his town, laying a wreath with other councillors on the town memorial.

Oxford Mail:

The parade through Witney

DIDCOT: It was the only town to hold its service in the afternoon: councillors and dignitaries met at the civic hall memorial garden for a service beginning at 3pm.

People were then invited to a reception with tea and coffee in the civic hall.

Oxford Mail:

The Oxford Caledonian Pipes & Drums lead the parade through Didcot town centre

FARINGDON: Rev Max Young conducted the service at All Saints Church before the Faringdon & District Royal British Legion president Ian Stringer recited the Kohima Epitaph.