The Royal Society of St George’s Haslemere branch marked St George’s Day in London and Haslemere.

Led by treasurer Martin Coakley, and accompanied by Haslemere mayor Jerome Davidson plus teachers and pupils from St Ives School and Camelsdale Junior School, branch members attended the national parade at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, and in Westminster Abbey thereafter, on April 20.

The party were greeted by the lord mayor of Westminster, Cllr Patricia McAllister. They were joined by Henry Rice, a Normandy veteran who will go to the D-Day commemorations in France in June together with 11 other compatriots under the care of the Hindhead-based Spirit of Normandy Trust.

The day was slightly chilly but bright, and the cadet marching band was suitably noisy. The oration by national chaplain Revd Roderick Leece was listened to in respectful silence.

The parade was the traditional Cenotaph event, with the chimes of Big Ben in the distance preceding the two-minute silence, with a lone bugler playing the Last Post.

The lord mayor then took the salute from the 500 military cadets and members of the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force on parade.

Afterwards there was a service at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey.

On April 23 at 11am the branch met in Haslemere High Street for a remembrance service. Prayers were led by chairman Nick Hinchliffe and the oration was given by David Lucas from Witley.

Again Haslemere mayor Jerome Davidson and children from St Ives and Camelsdale schools attended. This time the children had more to do, handing out red roses in honour of St George to passers-by once the formalities were over.

For details of The Royal Society of St George nationally, visit www.rssg.org.uk

For branch details email Martin Coakley at [email protected]