Representatives from Australian and New Zealand armed forces along with Hillingdon mayor Councillor Mary OConnor were among those who laid wreaths at the war memorial in the ANZAC cemetery behind the parish church.

The annual service has been a tradition in the village since April 25, 1918 - the third anniversary of the disastrous Gallipoli landings by ANZAC forces, many of whom were treated for their injuries at Harefield Hospital
Altogether, 111 Australian servicemen and one woman - a nurse - were laid to rest in a specially allocated section of St Mary's Churchyard

After the remembrance ceremony, dozens of schoolchildren, scouts, guides and brownies paid their own personal tributes by laying flowers on the 112 neatly tended graves.
St Marys Churchwarden and Harefield Junior School teacher, Rowena Scott, said: I think its really important that the children are involved with this service because its a big part of their history. Its keeping a valuable tradition alive.

At the other end of the age scale was Brian Cole, 79, who has lived all his life in Harefield and who remembered attending the annual service as a child. He said: I used to play the Last Post on the bugle at the ceremony as a youngster and Ive been coming ever since.

His friend, Maurice Gray,  originally from Muswell Hill but now a resident of Harefield, spent 12 years in Australia as a s10 Pom in the 1950s and 60s.
He said: I attended ANZAC Day services in Sydney and Ive always felt an affinity for these young men who gave their lives for their country.

For one Australian soldier who attended the service, it was a moving experience. Warrant Officer Steve Cheers, whose home is in Canberra but who is currently on attachment in the UK, said: Theres nothing like this in Australia - involving the children paying their tributes - its a very humbling experience to see the local community come together like this to pay their respects to these soldiers.

The sermon during the church service was given by Father Martin Hislop, the honorary padre to the Australian High Commission.