THE great and the good from across the nation gathered to pay a final public tribute to Lord Deedes of Aldington in London.

More than 700 attended a service of thanksgiving for his life in the Guard’s Chapel in Wellington Barracks on Monday.

Bill Deedes chose the venue overlooking the parade ground where he did his 'square-bashing' as a member of the Queen's Westminster's, the Territorial Army Battalion he joined in 1938, as the journalists church of St Bride's in Fleet Street was too small.

They came from all walks of life to remember him not only as a soldier, but as a politician and journalist.

Conservative leader David Cameron, Baroness Thatcher and Boris Johnson were among the many well-known figures paying tribute as were former Ashford MP Sir Keith Speed and current MP Damian Green, who followed Lord Deedes in the Ashford seat he represented for a quarter of a century in Parliament with distinction.

But there were also numerous Kent residents each with their own memories, like his former Ashford Conservative constituency chairman David Barham, former High Sheriff Bobby Neame, Jessamy Blandford from the Weald of Kent Protection Society, Nick Sandford from the Godinton Trust, auctioneer John Martin and his solicitor Richard Rix.

Readings were given by Lord Deedes' son Jeremy, his daughter Lucy and grandson George Deedes.

The address was given by former Daily Telegraph editor Charles Moore. Lord Deedes died in the summer at the age of 94.

* SEE THIS WEEK'S KENTISH EXPRESS FOR THE FULL STORY.