The parade and the service at East Barnet Methodist Church which followed it were well attended by members of the Armed Forces, cadets, Legion members and service veterans, including representatives from the Ghurkhas. The Representative Deputy Lieutenant, Martin Russell, and the Mayor of Barnet, Hugh Rayner, were also present.
Ms Villiers commented: “It was great to be able to join the East Barnet branch of the Royal British Legion this afternoon as they marked the start of the annual Poppy Appeal. It was particularly poignant this year as we had the chance to commemorate the bravery of our Armed Forces on the day that 13 years of combat operations came to an end in Afghanistan.”
The parade began at the East Barnet Royal British Legion, and was accompanied by the Metropolitan Police Pipe Band. The service at East Barnet Methodist Church was led by the Revd Colin Smith and Revd James Mustard, joint chaplains for the East Barnet branch of the Royal British Legion.