STEPHEN Watkins from Zeal Monachorum served as a NAAFI Manager aboard HMS Fearless and HMS Cardiff for nearly nine years and this year, for the first time in its history, NAAFI was represented at the Cenotaph in London by its veterans.

All those who marched in the parade had served on the front line with either the Royal Navy or the Army in either the Gulf War, Iraq or Afghanistan.

Stephen said: “It was an incredible honour to be given the opportunity to take part in such a public mark of respect for those who made the ultimate sacrifice to preserve our liberties and freedoms.

“It was also wonderful to be recognised as a group for the contribution that NAAFI has made in well over 100 years of serving the services in various different guises.

“This was a truly humbling experience that I will always look back upon with immense pride.”

The group formed up on Whitehall before being stepped forwards for the service. They then took part in the Cenotaph march past before accepting a salute from HRH Prince William at Horseguards.