Local Politicians, Jacob Rees-Mogg (a Double Hills Arnhem Patron) and the new South West Regional Mayor, Tim Bowles, will be among the guests and local people who will meet members of the armed forces and relatives of the Double Hills fallen, who will be present for the 38th year of the Paulton Arnhem Remembrance Service.

Taking place on Sunday, 3rd September, the Midsomer Norton and Radstock Silver Band will begin the ceremony at 2 p.m. As in previous years, there will be a parade through the village, and all will be welcome at the service, especially children, who can pay tribute with the laying of poppies and crosses (as last year, see left).

This year’s event will see extra security by the police, upping their presence at military and royally-connected events, with this taking place on Duchy land. HRH Prince Charles states that Double Hills’ “piece of land is dear to me”, and he has given the land on which the Memorial stands in perpetuity for as long as the Arnhem Service continues.

A Flypast by aircraft of the Army Air Corps is also planned on the day, and there may also be a local Aero club featuring an aeroplane towing a Glider. Everyone is welcome.

It is hoped that in this Falklands Remembrance year, more troops than ever will be expected and the event will attract even greater crowds.

Head of Army Flying, Colonel Jon Bryant, Commandant of the Middle Wallop Army Aviation Centre, will take the salute in Park Road, Paulton. Tennis Court Road, Park Road and Laurel Drive will be closed by the police for thirty minutes or less whilst the procession makes its way through at approximately 3.30 p.m.

Veterans and families of the soldiers who died in the Double Hills meadow will be amongst those attending the annual service, which remembers the 23 airborne soldiers who died when their glider, which was en route to the Battle of Arnhem, crashed on Sunday, 17th September, 1944.

Organiser of the event, Peter Yeates, says: “This is the 38th year of marking the Double Hills tragedy; and the people of Paulton and Farrington Gurney have never forgotten those lives that were lost 73 years ago. If people continue to attend the event, then it will continue for as long as the years I have left; but I am eighty now, so I look to everyone to support this important event locally.”

For more information, or to offer help, please contact Mr Yeates on: 07521 372387.