The Wessex Military Band parade to the war memorial.THE continuing conflict in Iraq was the focus of attention at Remembrance services across south Wiltshire on Sunday.

There were prayers for those serving in Iraq and for the families who had lost loved ones in the campaign.

At East Knoyle, a wreath was laid for 25-year-old Lance Corporal of Horse Matty Hull, who grew up in the village and who was killed near Basra at the end of March.

Another theme was Britain's relationship with America.

Scott Maryott, of the United States Air Force, currently based at Netheravon, laid a wreath at the war memorial in Salisbury.

Also there from America were Bob and Marilyn Wright, who had travelled from Ohio to be with their counterparts in the Patriots UK motorcycle club.

The traditional parade of standard bearers, veterans, service personnel, emergency services and youth organisations was led by the Wessex Military Band, the rain holding off until band Trumpet Major Ceri Dickinson had played the Last Post and the two-minute silence had been observed.

Among those laying wreaths were Mayor of Salisbury Bobbie Chettleburgh, Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire General Sir Maurice Johnston, MP Robert Key and representatives of the Royal British Legion.

John Mallen (84) laid a wreath for the boy soldiers of World War I called cowards and shot for desertion.

He said they were the same age as many of those taking part in Sunday's service - the Sea Cadets and Marine Cadets, the Scouts, Cubs, Explorers and Beavers, Air Scouts, Army Cadets and Air Training Corps.

Legion chaplain the Reverend Jack Leeming, who led the service, said: "We remember with thanksgiving those who have made the supreme sacrifice for us in time of war, especially the 52 British servicemen who have been killed in Iraq, and we pray that the offering of all these lives may not have been in vain."

The group of veterans, medals gleaming on their chests, standing to attention before Downton's war memorial grows fewer and frailer.

But those who come to pay their respects to the fallen and join the march, led by Downton Band along the Borough from the memorial hall to St Laurence's Church, grows year on year.

Under sombre skies, ranks of Brownies, Guides, Beavers, Scouts, Rangers, and Cadets were among those who listened attentively as the Reverend Frank Gimson read out the names of Downton's dead from two world wars and silence fell across the village as the final notes of the Last Post fell away.

In Wilton, the rain that had been falling steadily during the service at the parish church eased off for the wreath-laying, led by Mayor Marjorie Whitworth, Major General Richard Shirreff, chief of staff at Land Command, and Brigadier Harry Thompson, president of the Royal British Legion in Wilton.

As the Wilton Royal British Legion Band played outside the community centre, the parade marched to the Market Square, where Maj Gen Shirreff took the salute.

In Amesbury, the town band led a parade along Salisbury Street to St Mary and St Melor Church, where there was an interdenominational service led by the Reverend Simon Wilkinson.

Afterwards, the 300-plus members of the congregation gathered outside the church at the war memorial, where Allan Peach, Mayor of Amesbury, and Inspector Tim Richards, of Amesbury police, were among those who laid wreaths.

Lieutenant Colonel Frank Beale, of Amesbury, read the Kohima Tribute - a particularly poignant moment, as he had fought in the Battle of Kohima, which took place towards the end of World War II.

This crucial battle on the Indian/Burmese border inflicted heavy losses on both sides but was eventually won by the Allied Forces and marked a turning point in the reconquest of Burma.

In Tisbury, the usual march from the Avenue was replaced by a simple wreath-laying ceremony at the war memorial.

Brigadier Hank Bowen and Tricia Greer, wife of chairman of Tisbury branch of the Royal British Legion Brigadier Jim Greer, unable to attend through ill health, laid wreaths, the first of many to do so.

The Reverend Richard Wren talked of the "incalculable debt" owed to those who gave their lives "for the liberties we now enjoy".

He prayed: "Grant that the rule of tyranny may be broken and the cause of right may triumph."