SOME tears and many solemn faces were seen at Crediton and District War Memorial in the sunshine on Union Road on Remembrance Sunday. Surely more people present than last year?

Personal wreaths were among those laid, including one for a soldier from 14 Signal Regiment, killed in action in Afghanistan a month and three days (October 13) earlier.

Cadet Fred Bevan, this year's Mayor's Cadet, laid the wreath for the Mayor of Crediton, Cllr Frank Letch.

Cllr Andy Cole, vice chairman Crediton Hamlets Parish Council and Mel Stride MP for Central Devon also laid wreaths.

Others were laid by both of the town's two Rotary Clubs, the Women's Institute, the chairmen of Queen Elizabeth's Academy College Council and the Sixth Form Council, whose wreaths were on behalf of the British and international students and the staff.

A Crediton Fire Station wreath was laid by Fire Fighter, Liam Lowey. There were wreaths from the Unity Lodge of Freemasons, Crediton, the Probus Club, the Crediton Detachment of the ACF, Scouts and Guides.

Insp Bob Webb laid the wreath on behalf of the police. He is a Special and this was his last Remembrance parade at Crediton because he retires next summer.

Mrs Gillian Ponsford, president of Crediton Town Band, laid the wreath on their behalf. The Town Band had led the procession from the parish church and had played in the church earlier.

There was a wreath from the Lions Club of Crediton and District, Crediton branch Royal British Legion and the big Citizen's wreath, laid by Mrs Margaret Sandercock, formerly Poppy Appeal Organiser at Crediton and who had laid a wreath there 54 years earlier for the Girl Guides.

Traffic control and the procession had been directed by Crediton Special police officers.

Last Post and Reveille were played in the parish church and at the War Memorial by Adrian Nuthall, a member of Crediton Town Band.

The procession disbanded on the town square after the salute had been taken outside the council offices on Market Street by the Mayor and Mayoress of Crediton, Cllr Frank Letch and Mrs Natalia Letch with MP Mel Stride and John Higgs, vice chairman Crediton branch RBL.

The parish church had been so full for the service before the parade and wreath laying ceremonies that the Brownies were sitting on the floor and the Governor's stalls were used as well.

During this service the new Union flag, given to Crediton branch Royal British Legion by its vice chairman, John Higgs, in memory of his wife, Elizabeth, was dedicated.

This is the first Union flag the branch has ever had, so far as is known. It was carried on Sunday by Lance Sgt Lee Markl who is serving in the Coldstream Guards. A Crediton man, he is currently a member of the recruiting team in Exeter.

Sue Read