A LONE bagpipe player serenaded a crowd of hundreds as wreaths were laid at Horley's Remembrance Service.
Pipe Major Gavin Hurley stood silhouetted in the sunlight at the base of the war memorial, as the town paid tribute to soldiers past and present on Sunday.
The annual remembrance event, which has grown in recent years, began with the traditional parade and residents lined the streets to watch Scouts, Cadets and councillors among those processing from the Royal British Legion headquarters in Albert Road.
The Memorial Gardens in Brighton Road were filled and residents crowded at the gates to join in the service.
Resident James Brookes-Butt, 69, who was wearing his father's war medals, said: "It is a hugely important day and I think modern conflicts have brought it to the fore.
"My wife's father's name is on the memorial and we always put a cross out for him."
His son, Graeme, 29, added: "I think conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, along with the Cadets, have brought the whole issue to life for younger people."
The 13 standards, including those of the St John Ambulance and Royal British Legion, fluttered in the breeze as the Reverend John Glasspool led the service.
Veterans and members of the Legion lining up for the ceremony commended the strong turnout from the young people in the town, including representatives from Oakwood School and the 1st and 2nd Horley Scouts, who laid wreaths.
Christopher Hobbs, 12, who laid the Scouts' wreath, said: "It was very different. I felt like I had a very big responsibility doing it.
"I was very proud."
Others paid tribute to ex-Oakwood head teacher Andy Thompson, who instilled the importance of Remembrance Day in the pupils until he retired from the school in 2007.
"He made sure it became a part of the school," said Veronica Ballard, of the Horley Local History Society.
"It is something they have carried on. It gets the children to remember the importance of it."
