WAR heroes and their families marked the start of 2019 with a poignant service of remembrance paying tribute to those who have lost their lives in conflict.

The first Turning the Pages ceremony of the New Year was held at Oxford’s Christ Church Cathedral on Saturday at 11am.

About 60 people took part in an emotional service as the names of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice were read out.

Speaking at the ceremony, which is held every other month throughout the year, Maj Terry Roper, chairman of Oxford’s branch of the Royal Green Jackets Association, praised the turnout on the day.

He stressed the importance of keeping the event going, saying: “The ceremony keeps alive the regiment and the sacrifices that these boys made.

“We would not be here today and we would not have the freedoms we have got today if it wasn’t for them.”

During the service, the names of 10 members of the Queen’s Own Oxfordshire Hussars were read, five from the First World War – Robert Lund Parkinson, Charles James Partridge, Raymond Payne, Edward Morley Phillips and John Edward Reeves – and a further five from the Second World War – Cyril Buckle, Ronald Lewis Busby, Donald Henry Caldwell, Ernest John Claydon and Edward Cleall.

From the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, five names were read out from those who gave their lives more than 100 years ago – Reginald Mansfield Owen, John William Backhouse, Fred Adams, Joseph Best and Archie Mackenzie– and five from World Two – Gordon Raymond Cook, George Jefferson, Peter Nash, Arthur John Styles and James Leonard Wearn.

The service ended with The Last Post sounded and a two-minute silence.

Also at the ceremony, association president, Brig Robin Draper, said the service was a poignant occasion.

He said: “It is extremely important now the First World War commemorations are over that we remember on a regular basis the cost to many of the people of Oxfordshire.

“It is particularly poignant but the war didn’t end for a lot of people in 1918.”

The association now plans to expand the Turning the Pages ceremony to commemorate Oxfordshire war veterans who lost their lives outside of the two World Wars. A special ceremony will next be held in the spring.

The tradition of Turning the Pages was first started by Colonel Richard Hill, a former officer with the Royal Green Jackets, before it was passed the to Colonel Mike Vince MBE. It has since become a regular occasion and sees representatives from serving members of the Armed Forces and the Royal British Legion attend.