The Royal British Legion’s (RBL) Midsomer Norton and Radstock Branch led a moving service at the town’s War Memorial to honour the courage and sacrifice of those who helped bring peace to Europe.

Members of the RBL and Midsomer Norton Town Council gathered for the short ceremony on Thursday, May 8, during which wreaths were laid by pupils from Midsomer Norton Primary School on behalf of the Royal British Legion, and by Mayor Martyn Plant for the town council.

Rev Guy Scott led the service which began with the words: “We meet in the presence of God to commemorate and give thanks for those who eighty years ago were involved in bringing about the end of the war in Europe.

“Let us remember before God all who took part in the war to defeat NAZI oppression; those who gave their lives as comrades in the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines, the Army, the Royal Air Force, the Merchant Navy - we remember them with gratitude and honour their memory.”

The War Memorial is situated on a bridge over the River Somer and is owned and maintained by Midsomer Norton Town Council. It is a scaled-down replica of the Cenotaph in London (1920), with consent given by its designer, Edwin Lutyens (1869–1944), to use the copyrighted design, albeit in different materials.

It consists of a three-stepped Blue Keynton stone base with a St Aldhelm stone cenotaph. The memorial features a bronze wreath and plaques on its faces. The War Memorial was unveiled and dedicated on 11 November 1920 by Rev. R.J. Davey.

It commemorates 73 local servicemen who died during the First World War. Following the Second World War, a dedication was added to commemorate the 36 who fell in that conflict.