A HAMPSHIRE veteran has given his last hurrah as a standard bearer for the Royal Hampshire Regiment at the Armed Forces Day convoy.

The convoy, which took place on Saturday, June 24, started in Southwick before travelling to Wickham and concluding in Alton.

It featured both armed forces personnel as well as a range of vintage vehicles.

Life-long Alton resident Bob Graham, 68, led the convoy in what was last official act as standard bearer before he retires from the role, which he has held for more than 20 years.

Basingstoke Gazette: Bob Graham acted as standard bearer for the convoy for the last time before retiring from the roleBob Graham acted as standard bearer for the convoy for the last time before retiring from the role (Image: Commemorative Convoys)Bob, who still works full time at Trelours School said that he was “gutted” to leave the role, saying: “After 23 years in the army, it’s been an honour.

“For 20-odd years I have been carrying the Royal British Legion flag and the Union flag through the village of Holybourne and through Alton on Remembrance Days, but I’m getting too old. So I’m retiring from that”.

READ MORE: Hampshire County Council pledges continued commitment to armed forces

He confirmed that he will still act as a standard bearer for the Royal Hampshire Regiment at funerals, and is only stepping back from Remembrance Day parades as he “can’t do Crown Hill (in Alton) anymore”.

Bob said that his favourite part of being a standard bearer has been marching through Alton on Remembrance Day. He said: “I was born in Alton in 1954, I have lived in Alton apart from when I was in the army all my life. My parents, my grandparents were buried in Alton, so I’m definitely a true Altonian.

Basingstoke Gazette: Motorcycle Riders from around Hampshire provided a safety escort for the convoyMotorcycle Riders from around Hampshire provided a safety escort for the convoy (Image: Commemorative Convoys)“And the way that people were out in force on Saturday when we had the convoy come through was just amazing. When we have Remembrance Sunday in Alton, that’s just amazing with the crowd out supporting us.”

He continued: “It was just the way the people, coming through Alton, from when we reached the Butts right up to Anstey Park, and the people recognise me, know what I’ve done and they were just calling my name and waving to me, it was just amazing.”