Remembrance Sunday in Andover: Hundreds honour the fallen

Residents, civic leaders, and councillors, alongside veterans and military personnel, convened along Bridge Street, to watch a parade led by Wiltshire Caledonian Pipes and Drums march up to St Mary’s Church.

The parade included veterans and serving personnel, along with Army and Air Cadets, Scouts, and members of Girlguiding.

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A service was then held in the Garden of Remembrance at St Mary’s, led by Rev’d Chris Bradish, which included the laying of wreaths at the war memorial.

Wreaths were laid by the Deputy Lieutenant of Hampshire, the Mayor of Test Valley Cllr Philip Lashbrook, the President of the Andover Branch of the Royal British Legion, representatives of the Freeman of the Borough of Test Valley and the North West Hampshire MP Kit Malthouse. Posies of poppies were also laid by schoolchildren.

Among the veterans taking part in the parade was Jimmy Hill who served in the Royal Engineers Airborne for more than 23 years. He said: “It is always important to remember our past forefathers who went before us, without them we wouldn’t be here.

“Pre-Covid I used to go up to London, there was just something about it, the Cenotaph is beautiful – that does make me proud.”

Jimmy said that he was proud to see the number of people, including young people, who came out in Andover to honour the fallen.

Also taking part was Derek Giles, 76, who served in the One Wessex Regiment for 20 years, said: “I promised to my father-in-law that I would march and wear his medals, and I do it every year for my mates.”

Derek has taken part in the Andover parade for more than 10 years.

Following the service, the parade was led down Eastern Avenue where they saluted the Deputy Lieutenant of Hampshire.