THE annual HMS Monmouth Remembrance service was held at St Mary's Church last Friday (1st November).

The service honoured the fallen of HMS Monmouth who lost their lives at the Battle of Coronel on 1st November 1914 and was organised by the Monmouth branch of the Royal Naval Association (RNA).

Members of the ship's company were also present at the remembrance service.

Adrian Hamilton, secretary of the Monmouth branch of the RNA, said: "Half a dozen from the ship's company will join 80 people tomorrow (2nd November) at the Monmouth golf club to have a dinner in commemoration of the fallen."

Reverend David McGladdery, who led the service, prayed: "We thank you Lord, for all who have died that we might live; for all who endured pain that we might know joy and security; for all who suffered imprisonment that we might know freedom.

"We pray that as they died for peace, so we may work for peace, for the sake of the Prince of peace, Jesus Christ our Lord."

The timeline of the tragic event of the sinking of HMS Monmouth was read at the service: "At 4.30pm the British Fleet of Coronel including HMS Monmouth was fired upon by armed German ships. At 9.18pm HMS Monmouth sank and nearly 1,600 people died in defence of their king and country."

Wreaths were laid in remembrance of the fallen by commanding officer of HMS Monmouth, Gordon Ruddock, and RNSC Cadet Harriet Salmon.

During the service, war veteran John Huckle was awarded his long awaited Arctic Star medal for his services during the Second World War.

Mr Huckle, who lives in Wyesham, joined the Royal Navy in 1941 and, after training at HMS Collingwood, was drafted as an Ordinary Seaman to the battleship HMS King George V, flagship of the home fleet.

Most of the time he was aboard, the ship lay at a buoy in Scapa Flow with only infrequent excursions with the fleet.

Following a 70-year campaign for recognition, the Arctic Star is now awarded to veterans who served above the arctic circle.

Commodore Toby Elliott, who spoke of Mr Huckle's achievement, said: "Following the huge campaign to get recognition, John is a worthy recipient of the award."