THIS year’s Remembrance Sunday was particularly poignant for me for two reasons.

First, the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War has given all of us much to reflect upon. Remembrance Day commemorations are always important, but this year there is no doubt they have been even more significant.

Second, as I am standing down at the general election next year, this was my last Remembrance Day service as a Member of Parliament. These occasions are one of my most important duties as an MP.

Each year I would like to have been able to attend the commemorations in both the major towns of my constituency – Droitwich and Evesham. But that’s not possible so I have alternated between the two and this year I was at Evesham where the autumn sun lent a warmth to our sadness.

Many of you will have your own direct connection to one of the wars we remember this month. As I laid my wreath I thought of my father who fought in the First World War – at Gallipoli and in Palestine.

I really am proud of the effort and work that we as a nation have put into marking this centenary year, both locally and nationally.

Last week the Malvern Showground hosted an event to commemorate the role of the horse during WW1 – which I was delighted to be asked to speak at. Put simply, without the million horses we used, we could not have fought and won. It is right that we also remember this animal’s vital contribution.

I’m also pleased to have seen the Tower of London’s poppy installation which has attracted millions and raised huge amounts of money for forces charities. People have travelled from miles to view this thought-provoking and impressive spectacle.

We should all take satisfaction from knowing that locally and nationally this year we have remembered so appropriately the sacrifices made in the Great War, and the successive conflicts since then.

Sir Peter Luff