A SECOND World War veteran, who earned three medals from his wartime service, will be attending this year’s Remembrance Sunday service in Basingstoke.

Reg Bryant, a 94-year-old former artillery soldier, who now lives in Popley, will be attending the Mayor’s Remembrance Service on Sunday 12 November at Basingstoke’s war memorial outside the Civic Offices in London Road.

After the service, Reg will meet Basingstoke and Deane Mayor Cllr Paul Frankum, Mayoress Cllr Jane Frankum and Basingstoke's MP Maria Miller.

Reg served as a gunner and a driver during conflict in North Africa, Italy, and Palestine. He was also deployed to prisoner of war camps in Austria and Germany when the Allies were seeking out SS troops.

Reg only received his medals last year in time for the Remembrance parade in 2016, which you can read about here.

The Remembrance Sunday service will begin with a parade of the Mayor’s party at 10.45am, including the Mayor’s Chaplain, the Rev Arthur Botham, who will lead the service.

A flypast from RAF Odiham will precede the Last Post and Exhortation, followed by two minutes’ silence at 11am.

Mayor Cllr Paul Frankum said: “We are proud to pay tribute to our armed forces who fought and gave their lives in conflicts by marking Remembrance Sunday with this annual service at Basingstoke’s war memorial.

“The sacrifices that have been made ensured that our future generations are able to live in peace and freedom.

“Anyone who would like to come along and pay their respects is indeed very welcome and I would always encourage people to show support for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal by buying a poppy and wearing it with pride.”

As in previous years, there will be a temporary road closure order in place to allow the parade to march safely down New Road and London Road to the war memorial; and then from the war memorial onto London Road, New Road and into the War Memorial Park via the entrance near the bandstand.

The traffic will also be stopped in London Road at 11am for the two minutes' silence. The temporary road closures will take place between 10.30am and 12 noon for approximately 15 minutes at a time.