The Royal British Legion in Amesbury held Remembrance Commemorations at MOD Boscombe Down.

Because of the way the dates for the Remembrance Commemorations fell in November this year, this was an "exceptionally busy time" for the Royal British Legion in Amesbury, says Paddy Allen, Amesbury branch secretary, Royal British Legion.

Official commemorations took place at MOD Boscombe Down on Friday, November 10, with the Amesbury Branch Standard being paraded and the chairman laying a wreath on behalf of the branch.

Salisbury Journal:

On Saturday, November 11 - Armistice Day - a small ceremony was held at the Amesbury War Memorial to observe the two-minute silence.

Chairman, Richard Allen and Treasurer, Glyn Jones, attended together with representatives of the Bulford Army Cadet Force -  which is newly affiliated with the Branch.

A number of residents joined in remembrance of the fallen, and to acknowledge their sacrifice.

Glyn spoke the Exhortation and read the poem 'In Flanders Fields' by John McCrea and after the silence, Richard laid a wreath and read the poem 'The Soldier' by Rupert Brooke.

This was followed by The Kohima, spoken by Glyn.

Salisbury Journal:

Remembrance Sunday was again marked by the Parade from Antrobus House to the Abbey Church, an event witnessed by a large crowd lining the route.

The Parade was led by the Standard, the chairman and members of the Amesbury Branch of the Royal British Legion followed by over 100 Military Personnel - 47 Regiment Royal Artillery, 3 Armoured Close Support Battalion REME  and RAF

Boscombe Down, the emergency services and representatives of the town’s youth groups, including the 1st Amesbury Girls’ Brigade and 1st Boscombe Down Scouts, both of which, as well as Bulford ACF, are now officially affiliated to Amesbury Branch, RBL.

Other organisations in the town as well as schools were also represented.

The parade was completed by the Veterans’ Motorcycle  Riders Group, one of whom had made a 300-mile round trip to attend, making a total of over 520 participants.

Salisbury Journal:

The salute was taken by Sqn. Ldr Angela Glasby, Station Commander of MOD Boscombe Down at the dais in Salisbury Street.

Following the service at the war memorial and the observation of the two minutes silence a total of 40 wreaths were laid, including one by the chairman.

Members of the Air Training Corps, also affiliated with the Amesbury Branch of the RBL, were on hand to collect additional donations for the Poppy Appeal as people left the churchyard.