A GROUP of soldiers remembered their army ancestors at one of the first memorials in the Winchester area.

Around 20 people from the Royal Army Medical Corps attended an Armistice Day ceremony at the stone seat by the entrance to Hursley Park.

The soldiers, from Hampshire, are reservists whose unit directly descended from the first, second and third Wessex Field Ambulances that formed part of the 8th Division and whose names are engraved in the stone.

The memorial was erected by Sir George Cooper, before the end of the war, but the precise date remains unknown.

READ MORE: Peter Symonds College holds annual Remembrance event

Hampshire Chronicle: Gathered round the stone seatGathered round the stone seat (Image: Adele Bouchard)

Alan Rodbourne, 91, laid a wreath on the seat. The ex-serviceman and Hursley resident said: “I do this every year and look after the war memorial in the village.

“There 17 graves in the cemetery for World War One soldiers and every year I lay a cross by every one of them and I’ve been doing that for 20 odd years.

“We wouldn’t be here now if it wasn’t for them all giving their lives for us. My uncle fought in WW1 and was 19 when he died in the Somme.”

Hampshire Chronicle: Alan RodbourneAlan Rodbourne (Image: Adele Bouchard)

David Key, IBM historian, said: “It’s absolutely fabulous to have the Royal Army Medical Corps here today and to have this link back is always a pleasure.

“It’s very important we mark the day and remember the commitment people gave on our behalf.

“This is a very unusual monument because only focuses on one division.”

Hampshire Chronicle: The stone seatThe stone seat (Image: Adele Bouchard)

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Eleanor Bell, from Hursley Parish Council, read a poem before the group observed a two-minute silence and bowed their heads in respect.

The soldiers then returned to Worthy Down.

To see the ceremony, watch the Chronicle’s Facebook Live video below.

On Remembrance Sunday (November 12) Hursley will hold its annual service in front of the village war memorial and in All Saints Church.

Main Road will be closed from 10.30 to 11.30am so that residents can gather safely in the road and to reduce traffic noise.