A FALLEN serviceman of Kingsclere has been honoured.

On Saturday, 24 November, the Kingsclere branch of The Royal British Legion held a memorial and dedication service to remember Lieutenant Commander Darren Chapman, of the Royal Navy, who was killed in action on the May 6, 2006 whist serving in Basra, Iraq.

A short service of remembrance was held and a memorial stone uncovered in the RBL Memorial Garden which was dedicated and blessed by the Rev'd Ben Read, the vicar of St Mary’s Church, Kingsclere.

Mark Holden, Chairman of The Kingsclere Royal British Legion said: “It came to our attention that the village had no memorial to mark the sad passing of this man and thought it right and proper that something was organised on behalf of the whole community to put this right.

"With permission of Mrs Chapman and support from across the community a stone was designed and unveiled today as a permanent mark of respect and remembrance”.

The service was also supported by the village's Guides and Scouts along with many villagers who remembered Darren as a schoolboy.

The memorial service and dedication were attended by Darren's widow Liz Chapman and members of her family in addition to representation from 847 Naval Air Squadron who are based in Yeovilton; the unit Darren was serving with at the time of the incident.

Darren attended the Kingsclere CE Primary School and joined the Royal Navy as an enlisted rating, working his way to being a commissioned officer and helicopter pilot and helicopter instructor.

Darren once landed his helicopter on the school's playing fields and talked to the children about his role in the navy.