A SERVICE of commemoration and remembrance was held at Hubberston Memorial Hall on Monday, August 4, to mark the centenary of the start of the First World War.

Led by Rev Andy Bookless, a large crowd gathered to pay tribute to the men from the village who lost their lives in the First World War.

Rev Bookless said: “I suspect all of us have family who were living 100 years ago, whose lives were deeply affected by the First World War.

“It’s part of our common history, it’s part of what made our nation what it is and in a sense it’s part of what’s made us who we are."

He added: “It’s right that we remember those who served and those who died.

“We remember their courage and bravery and the sacrifice they made for our nation.”

Youth worker Dale Gibby read from the Bible, and the Last Post and Reveille was played by Charlton Nicholl.

A two-minute silence was followed by the laying of a wreath by Billy Mills, grandson of Engineman Hubert Ernest Mills who was lost at sea in the Gulf of Sollum, Egypt, in 1916.

The Mayor of Milford Haven, and one-time trustee of the Memorial Hall, Cllr Eric Harries, read out the names of the fallen, and local relatives of the ten men planted the poppy crosses in Hubberston Memorial Garden.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s Chris Charlton provided ten roses as gifts for the families who planted the poppy crosses.

Hakin and Hubberston Youth Club’s mural of the Great War was on display, as was the wreath crafted by the youngsters of Little Acorns Play Group.

Dorothy Beckett created a floral display, which was placed on a table beneath the commemorative plaque inside the hall, inscribed with the names of those who died.

Also on display was the unique Badrick Family Memorial Cross, kindly provided for the day by the descendants of Sgt Charles Ernest Badrick, who died in 1915.

Members of Milford Haven Operatic Society then led those attended in some popular wartime songs, and tea and biscuits were generously provided by the local RVS.