STANDARDS were raised at Wolborough Cemetery last Sunday (June 12) as the Newton Abbot branch of the Royal British Legion held their annual Decoration Day.

The event reciprocates a similar ceremony that takes place at the same time in Canada each year.

It’s particularly poignant for among the 28 Commonwealth War Graves in the Wolborough cemetery are three Canadian graves.

The Royal Canadian Legion branch in Medicine Hat, with whom the Newton branch is twinned, carry out a Decoration Day on the first weekend in June every year.

The ceremony at Medicine Hat involves cleaning the headstones and placing poppies on all except the front two rows - followed by a short service of remembrance is then carried out.

Sunday’s service was officiated by branch padre Rev Bruce Porter. Newton Abbot mayor Cllr Carol Bunday gave the address which was followed by the Exhortation delivered by RBL County President Rear Admiral C Snow CBE, DL.

Newton RBL President Mike Joyce gave the Kohima Epitaph and following The Last Post and two-minute silence, poppy crosses were laid on the war graves by RBL members and other organisations including sailors from HMS Triumph, the Royal Naval Association, Royal Engineer Association and Air Cadets.