‘AT THE going down of the sun and in the morning – we will remember them’.

The famous For The Fallen poem is read at every Remembrance Day ceremony in this country.

War veteran Douglas Baker states the famous poem means ‘more than just words’ to the men who fought and lost friends in battle.

At simultaneous ceremonies all around the UK on Sunday, soldiers, seamen and their families will gather together at cenotaphs to remember and honour all those lost in battle.

In Weymouth, Mr Baker, 79, will be joined by the other veterans of the British Korean Veterans’ Association proudly wearing their ceremonial uniform to show their respect.

He said: “We are there every year to parade and it becomes a part of who we are.

“It is a moment when everyone gets to think and remember those who are not with us now.

“It does mean a lot to every single person there and it brings back memories of who we were and who we were once with.

“Our time in the Navy has been a big thing in all of our lives.”

Mr Baker, founding member and president of the Dorset branch of the British Korean War Veterans’ Association, proudly starts every meeting reading the poem For The Fallen to the other 57 members.

Joining the Navy at just 15, Douglas was sent straight to battle in January 1945 – the year the Second World War ended – and before long he was posted to Korea.

He spent the next three years moving from ship to ship in Korea before being posted to the Mediterranean and West Indies.

During one of his long postings he received the sad news that his father had died and was informed by his superiors that he couldn’t return home for the funeral.

He said that living through times like that taught him what true camaraderie was and that was the reason that he wanted to start up the veteran’s association 16 years ago.

He said: “I am absolutely delighted and very proud to be part of it. I like the camaraderie that we all share – the Navy and the life we were part of was a great leveller.

“Now it doesn’t matter to anyone what rank you were before – we’ve all shared the same experiences.”

Mr Baker now lives in Weymouth and has two grown-up children.

The Remembrance Day words come from the middle stanza of the poem For The Fallen, by Lancaster-born poet Laurence Binyon (1869-1943).

It was first published in The Times on September 21, 1914, a few weeks after the start of the First World War. The whole of this middle verse is traditionally recited as part of Remembrance Day services throughout the United Kingdom.

The words are: They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old.

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning.

We will remember them.

The Dorset Echo is backing the Poppy Appeal which collects for two weeks every year in the run up to Remembrance Sunday on November 8.

In 2008, the Royal British Legion spent more than £88million to support the serving and ex-service community.

The demand for their support continues as service men and women, young and old, call on them for emotional, financial and practical help. The 2009 Poppy Appeal is emphasising the need to help the Afghan generation of the armed forces and their families – today and for the rest of their lives. We are hoping everyone will make an extra effort to donate to the appeal and wear a poppy this year.

They are available at shops and pubs throughout the area and you can also pick them up at all offices of the Dorset Echo. To donate contact www.poppy.org.uk