MILITARY vehicles were displayed in Henley to mark Remembrance Day.

Land-Rovers used by servicemen from 1943 until the present day were exhibited in Market Place to raise awareness of the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal.

Many of the vehicles had been involved in the Second World War, the Falklands War and the war in Vietnam.

Members of the Berkshire and Oxfordshire Military Vehicle Trust accompanied the display in army uniforms.

Martyn Sheldrake, secretary of the trust, said: “We had a lot of interest from the public and it was nice to talk to people about the vehicles. People asked about their history and where they were from.”

Trust member David Thatcher said: “Some older people had a chat with us about their own stories and told us what happened in Henley during the war.

“That’s very important because when they go, there’s no one else who can pass on these stories.” John Green, chairman of the Henley branch of the legion, was delighted at the amount of support from young people.

“It’s a trend that bodes well for the future,” he said. “The sad fact is that the requirements of the legion are getting bigger each year as membership declines.”

Meanwhile, pupils from Shiplake College visited Belgium to honour a First World War hero from the village.

The year nine students laid a wreath in memory of Eric George Cheasley, who is buried at Tyne Cot cemetery.

The trip was part of the college’s remembrance activities that also included special assemblies and tutorials.

Pupils learned how 15 people from Shiplake died during the Great War, including Cecil Harrison. a 37-year-old major in the rifle brigade who was as killed at Neuve-Chapelle in 1915. His family built Shiplake House in the 1890s.

Jon Cooksey, a military historian who is also a part-time teacher at the college, was the tour guide.

Published 20/11/12