There may not have been the 22,000 supporters who filed through the streets back in 1999 in a bid to save Haslar. But yesterday there was still the same spirit that all is not lost, even though the hospital is due to close next year when the redevelopment of Queen Alexandra Hospital in Cosham is completed.

Mrs Godbold, 57, of Waterloo Road, Gosport, who was there with husband Clive and father Anthony Philp, said: 'My father has got heart problems, so we frequently have to go to QA, and it's a nightmare to park.

'Even with a blue badge you can't find spaces.

'Haslar's the cleanest hospital around, and it's totally necessary to keep it open.

'QA is just too far.'

The line of campaigners stretched hundreds of yards as supporters set off from Gosport High Street at midday yesterday.

With figures dressed at the front of the crowd in a uniform of each of the armed services – official involvement from serving members had been banned – they marched from the front of the Civic Offices chanting slogans and waving placards.

Talk to those taking part, and it soon becomes clear how much Haslar means to locals.

Many of them had first-hand experience of why this hospital is so important to the area.

Led by march organiser Chris Hill, the crowd chanted 'Gosport for the military' and 'Gosport needs an A & E.'

As they turned into South Street, the supporters began to snake along the pavement as the police closed off the nearest side of the road.
Small children clutching their parents' hands marched next to pensioners, while several people were pushed in wheelchairs, and numerous veterans all joined in.

Jill Neligan from Park Gate had also made it a family affair, with her children and parents taking part.
She said: 'My family is military and ex-military, and we have always used Haslar.

'It has been very important to us all.

'My father had a stroke in November and we went there – it's a fantastic hospital with excellent facilities, and I think it's despicable that they are closing it down.

'We won't have a single military hospital when we have got people still fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq.'

Councillors and local officials marched alongside the rest of the public, united in the same cause.

Councillor Peter Edgar, spokesman for the Save Haslar Taskforce, declared: 'Every single member of this council is fighting to save Haslar for us all.'

Bringing up the rear of the procession was Tamara Glover, of Avenue Road, Gosport.

The 36-year-old mum-of-three said: 'On Friday night my daughter Emma was watching her big sister play netball when she cut herself open.
'It was after 6pm so the GP's surgery was shut. I took her to Haslar and it was seen in 20 minutes, sorted, cleaned and dressed.

'If I had to go to QA, goodness knows how long it would it would have taken.'

Her mother, Mary Cobden, added: 'I've got my teenage daughter here as well with her friends – they are all showing their support, I didn't make them come along.

'They said it's important, so they came – they are only 19, but even to them it's important.'

Back in front of the council offices Cllr Edgar gave an impassioned speech through a loudspeaker, punctuated by applause and cheers from the hundreds of people who remained crammed in to the square.

The tone was clear, and the mood of everyone present was clear – the government may have decided to close the hospital, but the local population isn't going to let it go without a struggle until those doors are finally locked shut.