LAYING a wreath on Remembrance Sunday was particularly poignant for firefighter Mick Dunn.

It was his last full day in uniform - he retired the next day after 28 years’ service with Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service.

He laid his wreath on behalf of the county brigade on the war memorial outside St Mary’s Church, Kidlington.

He joined representatives of village organisations laying wreaths in tribute to those from Kidlington and neighbouring Hampton Poyle who gave their lives in war.

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Mr Dunn served in the Army for four years before joining the fire service.

He proudly wore his grandfather’s Second World War medals as well as his own as he laid his wreath in front of a small, silent and respectful gathering of villagers.

He has represented the fire service at the annual ceremony at Kidlington, where the brigade headquarters is based, for more than 10 years.

Mr Dunn, who lives in Kidlington with his wife Shelly, grew up in Northumberland and moved south when he joined the Army.

He served with the Royal Pioneer Corps first at Northampton and later at Bicester. His Army service saw him in action in Northern Ireland and in the Gulf War.

After joining the fire service, he served at the Rewley Road station in Oxford before moving to Kidlington, where he has been based for 23 years.

During his career, he has helped organise numerous events for a variety of charities, raising between £30,000 and £40,000.

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His most ambitious and most successful was leading a group up Mount Snowdon and for non-climbers, arranging a 24-hour treadmill walk, which netted a total of £20,000.

He said: “It is not only about raising money but raising awareness of the charities.”

Coronavirus has put paid to any immediate retirement celebrations, but he hopes to organise a proper farewell with his colleagues when the emergency is over.

In retirement, he will work as a volunteer at Woodeaton School and hopes to continue with the fire service in a support role and also with his successful charity work.

Because of coronavirus, fewer people than usual attended the wreath-laying. However, pictures of the ceremony were shown during the live-streamed Sunday service conducted by the Rector of Kidlington, the Rev Felicity Scroggie, and her fellow clergy.

Villagers have planted poppies along the church path and laid inscribed stones at the church entrance in memory of their loved ones.

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Representatives across the county laid wreaths in their respective towns on Sunday with online services taking place for people to watch at home.