Past and present pupils paid their respects to the fallen heroes of past conflicts at a college’s Remembrance Day service yesterday.

Cambs Times: Remembrance service at Cromwell Community College.Remembrance service at Cromwell Community College. (Image: Archant)

Cromwell Community College’s South Hall was packed during the poignant service, which was also attended by relatives of pupils and Norman Larke, of the Royal British Legion.

Cambs Times: Former student Luke Watson delivers a moving speech.Former student Luke Watson delivers a moving speech. (Image: Archant)

They listened to a moving speech from former student Luke Watson, who was shot and injured whilst serving in Helmand Province with the Royal Anglian Regiment in 2006.

Cadets and standard bearers lined the sides of the hall as wreaths were laid on behalf of the college by Lydia Kay and Isaac Smy, on behalf of the army cadets by Edward Shepherd, on behalf of the air cadets by Benjamin Davies and on behalf of the scouts and guides by Lloyd Crawford and Georgina Dale.

Jamie Russell delivered a talk on the seven former college students who have been killed in conflicts. Their names are displayed on the college’s Remembrance board in the foyer.

Ben Millsom and James Hedley played the last post, while Sophie Dawson, accompanied by Corinna Holdaway, performed Somewhere Over The Rainbow.

Pupils from two primary schools were invited to read poems during the service.

Oliver Stanbridge and Jamie-Lou Young, of Kingsfield Primary School, read “Bombardment”, while Oliver Clay and Alvie Griffin, of Glebelands Primary School, read “Fallen”.

A collection was held for Help for Heroes, Afghan Heroes and the Royal British Legion on Friday, with the cheques presented to representatives of the three charities during the ceremony.

The Deputy Mayor of Chatteris, Councillor James Carney, offered a vote of thanks then Callum Liversedge played the Great Escape as the powerful service drew to a close.

Before the service began a buffet was held for guests which was prepared by the college’s catering students.