THE mother of a soldier killed in Afghanistan today paid an emotional tribute to Bampton residents for their “love and support” as wreaths were laid at the war memorial which now bears her son’s name.

Lee Mackie, whose son Jason, a Royal Marine, was killed in action six months ago, linked arms with Deirdre Gover, whose son Kristian died in a helicopter crash in Iraq in 2004, during a poignant Remembrance Day service.

About 500 people turned out in the village to pay tribute to servicemen and women who have given their lives in two world wars and other conflicts, including Iraq and Afghanistan.

Mrs Mackie fought back tears as she watched poppy wreaths laid around the memorial in Bridge Street, including one laid by her second son, Second Lieutenant Richard Mackie, 26, himself a Royal Marine.

Marine Mackie, 21, of 3rd Armoured Support Group Royal Marines, died when his vehicle struck an explosive device in Helmand in May.

Ms Mackie, of Moonraker Lane, Bampton said: “Look at all the love and support we get. The important thing is we are here to remember they gave their lives for their friends and for freedom and a better life.”

Mrs Gover, 63, who three weeks ago attended the first day of the inquiry into the Iraq war, wore her son’s medals and laid a clutch of poppies on the memorial.

Flt Lt Gover, a helicopter pilot from RAF Benson, died when his colleague attempted to land a helicopter at Basra airport in high winds five years ago.

Mrs Gover, who travelled from her home in Paris to attend the ceremony, said: “It’s a very important day.

“Kristian was willing to die for his Queen and country but that was the wrong conflict in which he died in.

“I will never forgive George Bush or Tony Blair for taking us into an unjustified conflict in Iraq.”

Hundreds of people also stood in silence at St Giles, in Oxford, to remember the sacrifice made by the county’s war dead.

During the service, led by the City Rector, the Very Rev Bob Wilkes, representatives of the city’s Jewish, Muslim, Hindu and Sikh communities, read prayers of remembrance.

Among those marching in the Remembrance Sunday parade was Cub Scout Josh Juggins, who laid a cross at the war memorial.

His great-grandfather Fred Farley, who died two years ago, was a former president of Oxfordshire Royal British Legion and read the Exhortation during the city’s Remembrance ceremony for 27 years.

Nine-year-old Josh, of Oxford Road, Kidlington, said: “I was very proud, because I was thinking of my great-grandfather when I was marching and I laid a cross with a poppy on it to remember everyone who died.”

His mother Teresa said: “I was choked up when I saw him marching, we all were.”

Former soldier Dave Turner, of Littlemore, paused to reflect on a friend who diedwhen they were serving in the Army in the Falklands War.

The 47-year-old said: “I come in his memory and all the other lads who I was in the Army with and those I don’t know, who are still fighting now, trying to bring peace.”

Ruth Gifford, 28, of Tithe Farm, Abingdon, bought her son Daniel, one, to the service.

She said: “I think it’s important to bring children to help them understand, because they are the future.”

Eric Anderson, 68, of Stansfeld Place, Wood Farm, served in the Royal Navy as an Able Seaman in the 1950s.

He said: “I thought the turn-out was superb. There must have been about 1,000 people. I lost two uncles in the war so that’s why I come along.”

In Botley, hundreds more people also paid their respects at a service at the Commonwealth War Graves section of Botley Cemetery, in North Hinksey Lane.