THE county’s young soldiers could be ‘lifted’ by a traditional ceremony as they take more of a role in protecting civilians amid the threat of terrorism.

The names of 20 men who lost their lives in the First and Second World Wars were read out in Christ Church Cathedral on Saturday as they are every two months in the Turning the Pages ceremony.

Five men from each war from the Queen’s Own Oxfordshire Hussars and the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry - now part of The Rifles - were called out by serving and retired military men.

Jonathan Grosvenor, retired from The Rifles, said young men and women in the county’s two regiments were given a lift by reading the names of their fallen forefathers.

The 56-year-old, who lives in Bicester, and read names of the Ox and Bucks men, said: “Soldiers are often asked to do difficult or unpleasant things, where the natural human inclination is to run in the other direction.

“But they feel a sense of responsibility towards the people who have gone before them - they don’t want to be the one to let the tradition and the regiment down.

“When young men and women in the forces read out the names here it is noticeable how they are lifted by it and stand a little bit taller.”

He added: “The threat is different now, rather than being asked to run towards gun fire they might be clearing up a terrorist bomb incident, but it’s the same principle.

“They are still being asked to do something, by society, that wouldn’t normally be expected and this ceremony and the support of everyone here helps them with that.”

Corporal Graham Martin read out names of those who died fighting for the Queen’s Own Oxfordshire Hussars (QOOH).

The 31-year-old, who serves with the 142 QOOH Vehicle Squadron Royal Logistics Corps in Banbury, said: “It’s an important thing for guys in our squadron to do, it’s pretty emotive.

“It’s something everybody in the Oxfordshire regiments should do, it’s important that we remember what people have done for this regiment and for this country.”

Corporal Martin said the readings were done on a voluntary basis but that he would encourage all of the troops to take part.

The ceremony’s organiser Colonel Mike Vince MBE said attentions would now turn to the biggest event of the year.

He said: “It was a really good turnout, which was great to see.

“Our next one, in November will be much bigger and for the fourth year running we have managed to hold the ceremony on Armistice Day itself. We will have the main part of the cathedral and we want as many people there as possible.”