WAR veterans and local dignitaries stood shoulder by shoulder at a church service to honour those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

The annual service at St John the Evangelist Church, Holdenhurst Village is organised by the Bournemouth War Memorial Homes to pay tribute to all those who have fought for their country.

Standard bearer Colin Morris, a veteran of the Royal Army Service Corps and the Royal Corps of Transport, displayed the flag at the start and end of the service.

Among the War Memorial Home residents who attended were D-day veteran Bob Roberts, who was the second person to land on Juno beach, and Dunkirk veteran Les Kerswill, who was captured by the Nazis and taken to a PoW camp in Poland.

The service was attended by the Mayor of Bournemouth Cllr Chris Mayne and Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Dorset Paul Stopford-Adams.

It included a moving rendition of the Last Post before everyone fell silent for two minutes to remember Britain’s fallen heroes.

Strouden Park ward councillor John Adams played the Reveille and lessons were read by Alderman Jim Courtney, a patron of the War Memorial Homes and John Kennar, chairman of the homes.

The service was conducted by Rev Andrew McPherson, who acknowledged the significance of the 100 year anniversary of the outbreak of World War One but told the congregation: “Although this is a special anniversary, I’d like to remind you all we will be meeting again next year. It is always right to remember.”

Following the service there was a social get-together at Holdenhurst Village Hall.