IN time honoured tradition they stood in silence before laying poppy crosses at the Field of Remembrance in the grounds of Ashburton’s St Andrew’s Parish Church, on Monday.

The Act of Remembrance, to remember those who lost their lives during the two world wars and other conflicts, always takes place on the Monday before Remembrance Sunday.

The Rev John Andrews led a short service before those attending stepped forward with their poppy crosses, among them the town mayor Cllr John Nutley, the chairman of Ashburton Royal British Legion Karen Turner and the town’s Poppy Appeal Organiser Charlie Dennis.

Also delighted to be taking part was 95-year-old Cecil Woods who served in Burma during the war with the Gloucesters and later with the Dorsets.

‘I served for six years. Sadly I lost a lot of friends in Burma. It was awful over there,’ said Mr Woods who is the proud holder of the Burma Star.

Following the ceremony a small group moved on to the war graves in the cemetery to lay poppy crosses on them.

Annually Mr Dennis selects a different war grave for recognition. This year it was that of 23-year-old Lieut E Bandurski who served in the Polish Army during the second world war.

It is not known the cause of his death, but he died after the war on July 26, 1947 – he was then part of the Polish Resettlement Corps.

Today, to mark Armistice Day, two minutes silence will be observed outside the Ashburton Town Hall at 11am, and on Sunday there is wreath laying at the war memorial, followed by a parade through the town and a Service of Remembrance in St Andrew’s Parish Church.