Veterans remember fallen colleagues at Cenotaph in Portsmouth

The small group met at the Cenotaph in Portsmouth as part of an event organised by UK Veterans – One Voice.

The meeting, at Guildhall Square, was one of many held across the country including in Manchester, Leeds, London and Edinburgh.

Attendee Phil Bates said a march was meant to end at HMS Victory, at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, but instead they remained at Guildhall Square.

He said the change was following reports that a right-wing group could hijack the march.

Sergeant Rob Sutton, of Hampshire Constabulary, was at Guildhall Square.

He said: ‘There were a very small number of people who gathered at the Cenotaph.

‘They were made up of former paratroopers, Royal Marines and Gurkhas.

‘The group was here to remember the fallen in a respectful service.

‘They shared their memories and read some poems then went to the pub. It was just a walk to remember fallen colleagues.’

He added there was no trouble during the event, which was held around 11am and lasted about 10 minutes.