A march brought to an end almost a quarter of a century of the Minster in Sheppey Royal British Legion.

A laying up ceremony was held on SundayJuly 1 to mark the official closure of the group.

The standard was dedicated to Minster Abbey, where it will remain.

Club chairman Jim Enright said: “It was a very sad day for me. After all the hard work we have put into it, it is now no more. It breaks my heart to think about it.”

On the day, the Sheerness Army Cadet Force’s band led a procession from Minster Working Men’s Club in Union Road to the church.

Mr Enright, of Barton Hill Drive, Minster, carried the flag before handing it over to standard bearer Mack Levey, who took part despite having a recent knee operation, at the entrance to the Abbey.

It was then accepted by the Rev Arthur Houston to be laid at the remembrance area inside.

Last Post and Reveille was sounded by bugler and former Royal Marine bandsman Keith Wiffen.

A minute’s silence was also observed by the congregation.

Members from other branches, including Sheerness and Queenborough, were in attendance in a crowded church.

With a heavy heart, the decision was made to close the club on May 1. Former Third The King’s Own Hussars serviceman Mr Enright said: “It was mainly, I think, loss of a lot of our older members, and those that couldn’t get there were unable to take on some of the roles.

“At the last AGM, just six members were present.”

The 78-year-old, who served in Germany and Malaya, added: “It will leave a hole in Sheppey, but of our members that are left, two or three will join the Sheerness detachment and some will go to Queenborough.”

The Minster in Sheppey branch of the Royal British Legion was formed in 1987 by Captain Bill Grant and William Hill, following the closure of the Eastchurch section.

It became the first branch in the country to amalgamate with a youth group when it linked up with Sheerness Army Cadet Force in the 1990s.