Haywards Heath & Beech Hurst’s lingering links with military service were marked with an appearance at the town’s Remembrance Day commemoration.

Ted Prince, who was among Britain’s latter intakes of National Service conscripts, laid a wreath on behalf of the club at the town war memorial at Muster Green.

It was the first time anyone from the club* can recall it being represented at the annual occasion, which was attended by a good helping of local dignitaries and members of the public.

The club’s committee agreed a proposal a few months back from Basil Larkins that we should be represented at the service – too late to be part of the official programme, but welcomed by the town council as one of the private organisations allowed to participate.

And among those watching were Basil, members of Ted’s family and fellow club member Peter Nicholls – also a National Serviceman – and his wife, Glynis.

Ted said he was still mystified why he was chosen but was proud to be asked – although he had wondered whether he would cope with having to stand still for so long until it was his turn to lay a wreath.

Ted’s national service came shortly before conscription ended in 1960, initially in Bridgnorth, Shropshire, for training before moving to Norfolk and later RAF Stanmore in north London.

He was in the RAF Fighter Command band, where he was a saxophonist, ensuring a largely enjoyable two-year term of national service.

“I reckon there’s only one thing better,” he said. “And that’s being a boxer in the military. The rivalry between the three services in boxing was quite something.”

*If anyone knows of a previous occasion when the club laid a wreath at the service, please let me know and I’ll be happy to amend this report.

Photos by Basil Larkins and Henry Wake