WEIGHTED down with years, medals and memories, men and women marched on Sunday to honour the sacrifice and courage of those who served and died as the Dover Patrol in two world wars.

Fallen heroes, who were "the lock and key of the kingdom" in times of conflict, were remembered at the annual service held at the monument at Leathercote Point, St Margaret's.

Carrying the standards of more than 40 battle associations, members had travelled from France, Belgium and the United States to pay their respects to comrades who played a vital role in keeping the Channel safe for convoys.

Martin Jarrett, of the Deal & Dover Royal Naval Association has been organising the service for the last four years: "It takes eight months to do - really you have to start on the next as soon as one is over," he said. "The average age of the standard bearers is 70 and once you've carried a standard it is something you never forget."

Also not forgotten were the countless lives laid down in the fight to win peace.

One of the standards was paraded by a Jewish brigade and among the dignitaries attending were the Lord Lieutenant of Kent, Allan Willett, as inspecting officer. Others included Lt General Sir Martin Garrod, the mayors of Dover, Deal, and Sandwich, Cllr Paul Watkins, leader of the district council, and attaches from the American, French and Belgian Embassies.

People gathered at the granite memorial for the service conducted by RNA chaplain, the Rev Bill Nuttall, with music provided by the Snowdown Band and the East Kent Piping Society.

It had been unveiled exactly 82 years earlier on July 27, 1921 by the then Prince of Wales, later Edward Vlll. Countless thousands of men died keeping the Channel clear of German mines.

Formed in the First World War in 1915, the Dover Patrol initially comprised near obsolete destroyers which were then joined by yachts, motor launches, sea planes, airships, trawlers and drifters.

From poorly equipped and modest beginnings it grew to become one of the most important Royal Navy commands in that war.

Merchant men and hospital ships were escorted, barrages constructed, mines cleared and German positions bombed in Belgium and local fishermen risked their lives manning boats.

The Patrol threw up people like Lt C.H.Lightoller who had survived the Titanic's sinking, and another, Captain E.Evans, a survivor of Captain Scott's equally ill-fated Antarctic expedition.

As a memento, Captain Evans always sailed with a penguin mascot nailed to the mast of his destroyer.

In the Second World War, with all the coastline facing south East England under enemy occupation, the Patrol's role was as vital as ever in keeping the Straits free.

Mr Nuttall said: "It is good the sacrifice made for the welfare of the world is remembered in this day and age."