FORTY men from Damerham, Martin, Rockbourne and Whitsbury who made the supreme sacrifice in the Great War were honoured during the Great Pilgrimage 90.

The chairman and standard bearer of The Royal British Legion Damerham and Western Downland Branch, Captain John Kelly OBE RN and Corporal Keith Kirkcaldy REME, along with 2,300 more veterans from across the country and as far a field as Hong Kong, Thailand and The Falklands, marched through Ypres to the Menin Gateto commemorate the first Pilgrimage made by the widowed and bereaved on the same day 90 years ago, which also marked the 100th Anniversary of the 100 Days Offensive that ended the war.

1,150 wreaths formed a sea of Red Poppies at the Menin Gate. People joined together afterwards for comradeship and entertainment in the Great Square, while The Band of The Royal British Legion played music.

Captain Kelly and Cpl Keith Kirkcaldy said it had been a most dignified and appropriate tribute to the fallen. T

They also expressed their sincere thanks to all those who had donated to ensure The RBL Damerham and the Western Downland Branch could be represented on this unique Great Pilgrimage.