The day started with men tidying all around the War memorial.
There are about 36,000 war memorials in the U.K. The one in Abingdon stands in the Square.

People first gathered in St Helens Church for a short service, and then paraded to the war memorial where there the largest crowd for many years.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years contemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

The Cornet played the last post, the flags were drooped, and we stood for the two minutes silence. (Many thanks to the Abingdon Herald for the picture of the Mayor paying his respects).

After the silence Abingdon Band played sad songs of remembrance as wreaths were brought up. The Mayor, Peter Green, brought up the Town wreathe.

Afterwards all the uniformed groups marched in front of the Mayor, the president of the Abingdon Royal British legion, the commanding officer of Dalton Barracks, and the members of Abingdon Town Council.
Flag bearers were followed by members of the Royal British Legion…
Soldiers from Dalton Barracks…
Young peoples uniformed organisations…
And bringing up the rear were the crowds.
Once everybody had gone, the wreaths remain in front of the War Memorial – each with a badge from the donating group. Round the other three sides are the names of the men who did not return to Abingdon.

The Rector of Abingdon reminded us, that many service men who do return find it difficult to adjust after being through events that make them feel removed while with people they love. Even many of those that return find “That world that was ours is a world that is ours no more.”