MILITARY members past and present joined forces last weekend to mark the official blessing of a commemorative stone honouring men conscripted into national service.

Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire Sir Nigel Mobbs and High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire Alexander Shepard were among more than 100 men who marched alongside Royal British Legion members and members of the RAF in honour of those who were required for compulsory service between 1945 to 1963.

Led by bagpipers from the RAF Halton Pipe Band, they marched from the Swan Theatre to All Saints Parish Church where a service was held, through the High Street and on to the unveiling of the plaque at Library Gardens in Queen Victoria Road, High Wycombe.

Afterwards more than 150 turned up at the nearby Royal British Legion headquarters for refreshments laid on by Wycombe District Council and the Legion.

Cllr Dennis Green, chairman of the organising committee, was delighted with the turnout on the day.

"It is so important that these people who gave their time and their lives for their countries be officially recognised," he added.

There will be two more dedications of identical stone memorials in Marlow on Sunday and Princes Risborough on June 10.