12:20pm Wednesday 11th November 2009
By Rebecca Cain
BUCKINGHAMSHIRE fell silent at 11am today as people paid their respects to servicemen and women who lost their lives for their country.
Four veterans from the Burma Star Association paid their respects at the war memorial in Wycombe Rye, with a good turn out from the public and pupils from Crown House Preparatory School.
Doug Schlaepfer, 91, Monty Seymour, 95, Bill Jenkins, 88 and Eric Sheppard, 83, came to lay two wreaths for the Burma Star 14th Army Association.
Mr Schlaepfer from Lane End said: “There are only a few of us left now. It is very emotional today.
“I think of all the pals I lost who didn't come home. The memories are like they were yesterday.”
Mr Sheppard, from Downley, said they were not expecting such a good turn out and were pleased to see so many there.
He added: “It is a bit of an emotional time. The Afghanistan war is on everyone's mind at the moment which I think is why so many people are here.”
A remembrance service also took place at St Augustine's School in Daws Hill Lane at 11am.
St Augustine’s pupils observed a two minutes' silence alongside World War Two veterans and a serving RAF officer.
Flackwell Heath Royal British Legion marched into the school playground as 400 children gathered.
They were accompanied by flight lieutenant Michael Whiteley, whose daughter goes to the school and who has recently returned from serving in Iraq.
The British Legion laid wreaths as did the school's 14 classes. In tribute to the current conflicts each class also planted a “poppy cross” in sand, after which the congregation sang I Watch The Sun Rise.
Sami Martin, a year six pupil, said: “I really thank the soldiers for making this country’s peace possible.”
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