Chairman of the Ross-on-Wye branch of the Royal British Legion, Graham Aplin, told the Ross Gazette that he felt it was a tremendous honour to be asked to read the Kohima Exhortation at the Menin Gate last week.

Graham had travelled with other members of Ross British Legion, as well as members of several other Herefordshire branches on a battlefields tour.

They spent time at the Somme and Ypres and Graham said it was a fantastic experience. He said the tour was very well organised, the Ross members had set out to honour the 34 names of those who are included on the Ross War Memorials and were delighted they were able to locate them all.

On the last evening the tour members arrived in Ypres for the poignant ceremony which takes place every day. The Standard Bearers who were part of the group were invited to take part in the ceremony, as well as having an opportunity to lay a wreath.

To read this story in full, pick up this week’s edition of the Ross Gazette.