“Lest we forget” was the message at a centenary First World War commemoration service this morning.

Residents gathered around the Dover memorial statue, outside Dover Town Council offices at 9.15am.

Councillors, including the Mayor of Dover, Pam Brivio and the Freemen of Dover, former Dover Mercury chief reporter, Graham Tutthill, Terry Sutton and Dick McCarthy attended.

Two Union Jacks hung from the offices in remembrance of the men that sacrificed their lives during the war.

Spectator, Ann Stepney, who came to pay her respects, said: “This should be something that ought to be done and not done as an official duty.

“It is a reflection - at least there were people ready to sacrifice their lives for us and there are still people willing to do that today.”

The first speech set the tone for the service, it said: “We gather around this memorial to remember all those from this town who were caught up in the tragic events of the First World War - the centenary of the commencement of which we remember today.

“We remember all those who were killed in action, or by disease, the bereaved, the lost, the families which were shattered, the wounded, maimed and injured, those who held in silence unspeakable memories of warfare.”

Speeches were made by the Mayor of Dover, Pam Brivio, former Mayor, Ronnie Philpott, chairman of Dover District Council, Sue Nicholas and two of the three freemen of Dover, Mr Tutthill and Mr Sutton.

A wreath was laid on behalf of MP, Charlie Elphicke who could not attend the event due to a medical emergency.

See the full report out in this week's Mercury, out on Thursday, August 7.