PROUD veterans marched through the streets as Dorchester paid tribute those who have served their country.

The county town's Armed Forces Day saw veterans, serving soldiers and cadets were joined by a convoy of military vehicles as they paraded from North Square and down South Street before heading along Bowling Alley Walk to the Borough Gardens.

Following their arrival, a service of prayers and hymns was conducted in the gardens by Reverend Canon Thomas Woodhouse in front a large crowd of local residents.

The Exhortation was read, followed by a moments silence for the fallen servicemen of the forces.

A selection of servicemen were presented with lapel badges for their bravery and efforts for the country.

Representatives from the Russian Embassy were on hand to present the Medal of Ushakov to those who had taken part in the Arctic Convoys of the Second World War.

The convoys supplied an essential four million tonnes of arms, ammunition and food in freezing conditions, with Winston Churchill describing each convey as an ‘epic achievement’.

The day had been was organised by a committee featuring members of the Dorchester Royal Naval Association and was supported by a range of organisations including Dorchester Town Council.

Roy Dean, the secretary of the Dorchester Royal Naval Association, said that this commemorative day was to remember those who had lost their lives during war and that the parade was away of remembering them.

He added: “These are medals which they give to many people who have shown bravery and served the force.”

George Osborne, chairman of the Dorchester Royal Naval Association and a previous Chief Petty Officer, served in the Navy for 24 years.

He was one of ten veterans presented with the Ushakov Medal.

He said: “It’s one of the proudest days of my life.

“If it wasn’t for what we did, a lot of people wouldn’t be here now but thankfully we have survived.

“We should keep on remembering, we should keep recognising the work we did."

Mr Osborne said that the commemorations had brought back memories from his days in the Navy including times when a ship he was on broke down, leaving him and his crew members stranded.

He recalled how the signal from another ship was detected and he feared that he and his crew would be killed by an enemy ship.

Luckily it was another Navy boat that was following behind them.

Mr Osbourne said: “That’s the only time I was very worried. You don’t have time to think being on guns, your mind was on getting as many shells as you could.”

The commemorations were followed by an afternoon of 1940s music from The Wessex Military Band and The Durnovaria Band.