A solitary horn sounded as Chipping Barnet stood silent to remember fallen friends and comrades with the laying of wreaths at the war memorial on Remembrance Sunday.

Hundreds of people turned out to pay tribute to those who lost their lives fighting for their country.

Veterans, Territorial Army soldiers and army and air cadets marched up the High Street.

For the first time ever, Barnet's TA and army cadets were led by women: Major Alison Falcon and 2nd Lieutenant Angela Richardson respectively.

The solemnity of the occasion was summed up by 77-year-old war veteran Pat Watson.

"I find the whole day very sad," said Mr Watson, of Potters Lane, Barnet. "I go to France every year on June 6 for the anniversary of D-Day as I served in France, Belgium and Holland but the war was a terrible time.

"It is very important to have this day so that people are not allowed to forget it because we would not be here now if these people had not given their lives for us."

Stan Dummer, 74, of Chesterfield Road, Barnet, has been involved with the Chipping Barnet parade for more than 20 years. He said: "My father was in the war and I lost a lot of friends so today is very close to my heart."

Chipping Barnet MP Sir Sydney Chapman and Councillor Geof Cooke, representing the Mayor of Barnet, were among those laying wreaths at the foot of the war memorial in the churchyard of St John the Baptist Church.

In South Mimms more than 150 people gathered at the war memorial. The dedication was led by Rev Dr Alan Harding, of St Giles' Church.

In Potters Bar, the parade marched up Mutton Lane before a well-attended wreath laying at the war memorial followed by a service at St Mary's Church.

Twelve-year-old Ray Tavares laid a wreath for the first time on Sunday on behalf of St John the Baptist Church and his father, killed three years ago in Angola's ongoing civil war.

His mother, Bethsida, explained: "They bombed our house because we are human rights activists and they thought we were traitors. After the bombing, Amnesty International helped the kids to escape."

Ray and his elder sister Candy, 16, were flown to Clacton-on-Sea and put with foster parents three years ago before moving this year to Green Hill Parade in Great North Road, Barnet, to live with their mother after she escaped Angola.

"He died for justice and righteousness and that is why the church let us lay the wreath. This has been a very important day for us because we never had the chance to mourn his death," Mrs Tavares added.

Ray is currently attending Ravenscroft School in Barnet Lane, Barnet. He still has a brother and sister in Angola.

He said: "It means so much to me to lay this wreath. My house used to get bombed and every time there was a knock at the door I used to get scared I feel much safer now I'm in Barnet."

Mrs Tavares paid tribute to the people of Barnet for helping her family settle. She is now hoping her two other children can join them.

"We are surrounded by very loving people that have been very supportive and we would not have been able to cope if it hadn't been for them. I hope the church will help me to get my other two kids back."

November 13, 2001 11:06

KEVIN BURCHALL