Press Release
The New Milton community assembled on Remembrance Sunday, a grey and eerily misty morning, to remember all 223 local servicemen who lost their lives in the two world wars. Their names remembered and inscribed on the War Memorial.
In total over 250 local people lost their lives in the two World Wars, including 31 who died as a result of three WW2 bombings on the town.
New Milton Town Clerk, Graham Flexman, welcomed hundreds of people as they participated in the Remembrance Sunday Parade, followed by the Act of Remembrance and wreath-laying ceremony at the War Memorial on Sunday 8 November 2026.
The Christchurch and District Scout Band led the parade towards the War Memorial for the two minutes silence at 11am.
Brigadier Paul Jepson, President of the New Milton Royal British Legion, recited the Exhortation and Andrew Bryant of the RBL recited the Kohima.
New Milton Town Mayor, Councillor David Rice-Mundy said:
“It is always very humbling to see so many people paying their respects around the War Memorial. Thank you to everyone, those who planned the event, and everyone who attended representing different groups and across the generations in our community”.
The Service of Remembrance was held in the Memorial Hall, where outstanding contributions from Arnewood School, Ballard School and Durlston Court School were applauded by the Mayor and the congregation. Pupils of Durlston School presented “New Milton’s Contribution to the War at Sea in WW1” followed by pupils of Ballard School with “New Milton’s Naval Contributions WW2”.
Ballard School Senior Chamber Choir’s rendition of “A Gaelic Blessing” by John Rutter was beautifully delivered, as was the Bible Reading and recital of Rudyard Kipling’s “Recessional” delivered by Arnewood School pupils.
The Royal British Legion host the Poppy Appeal to raise money to support serving and ex-serving personnel and their families. Find out more on the Royal British Legion website https://www.britishlegion.org.uk