THE bravery of soldiers in conflict around the world was recognised at a special remembrance event at Gloucester Cathedral on Monday.

Saluting the Gloucestershire Regiment was held to celebrate 12 generations of military service with particular focus on nine servicemen from the Gloucestershire Regiment.

Eight of the servicemen hold the Victoria Cross, the highest military decoration awarded for valour in the face of the enemregy, and one holds the George Cross, the highest civil decoration.

They were Surgeon HT Reade (61st Foot) Seige of Delhi 1857, Lietenant-Colonel AC deWiart (Commanding 8th Batallion) The Somme -1916, Second-Lieutenant HF Parsons (14th Batallion) Passchendaele 1917, Captain MA James (8th Battalion) Battle of St Quentin 1918, Lieutenant Colonel Dan Burges (2nd Battalion-commanding 7th Battalion, South Wales Borderers) Balkans 1918, Private FG Miles (1/5th Battalion) Battle of the Selle 1918, Lieutenant PKE Curtis (attached to 1st Glosters) Battle of the Imjin River, Korea 1951, Lieutenant TE Waters (attached to 1st Glosters) Korean War 1951 and Lieutenant Colonel JP Carne (1st Battalion, The Gloucestershire Regiment) Battle of the Imjin River, Korea 1951.

The event also had some VIP guests; Margaret Purves – the only living woman to hold the George Cross, Major Pete Norton GC, chairman of the Victoria Cross and George Cross Asociation and Sam Mercer MBE, Korean War Veteran who was present when Lieutenant PKE Curtis fell.

Hundreds gathered at the Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum before boarding a convoy of nine buses provided free by Stagecoach, each dedicated to the nine servicemen and led by the Royal British Legion Riders branch.

“The nine men we are saluting are all incredible individuals who performed extraordinary acts of valour and bravery in the most challenging circumstances,” said Chris Chatterton, general manager of the Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum.

“However, these men are representative of the thousands of others who have worn the badge of the Glosters with pride who have served our country with honour and who deserve to be remembered by us all.”

Guests were treated to a dedicated performance from the Military Wives Choir followed by refreshments.