CHILDREN were moved by stories of young soldiers, sailors and airmen who lost their lives fighting for their country when a remembrance event took place.

The Elham Valley Branch of the Royal British Legion invited about 80 pupils from the Hawkinge and Churchill primary schools to put remembrance crosses on the graves of servicemen at the War Graves Commission’s Cemetery in Hawkinge.

They also listened to a service by Reader Paul Jarvis from St Luke’s Church.

Organiser John Vinnicombe, chairman, of the Elham branch, said: "I asked the children to look at the ages of the veterans. One, a Spitfire pilot from Hawkinge, was just 19-years-old.

"It is very important that the youth of today realise the sacrifices made by thousands of soldiers, sailors and airmen on their behalf."