THE people of Hatherleigh paid their respects to the brave servicemen who gave their lives in the First World War. The town's community centre hosted a day of remembrance on Saturday. Dorothy Ellis, the last living First World War widow, opened the day by laying a wreath of poppies made by Hatherleigh school children at the foot of a model of a First World War tank. Dorothy, who turned 93 on Armistice Day, laid the wreath to remember those who fought in the conflict, including her late husband Wilfred. Hatherleigh Primary School children Jayfin and Robin Carter and Ella and Josh Bowden presented Mrs Ellis with the flowers and wreath that were laid at the ceremony. Wilfred's wartime heroics helped to inspire Michael Morpurgo's novel War Horse. A private in the Norfolk Regiment, Wilfried survived being shot in the ankle and being gassed in the space of five months in 1918. He rarely spoke of his experiences until he shared memories with author Michael Morpurgo when they both lived in the village more than 30 years ago. Mr Morpurgo kindly gave permission for Monica Jones to read his introduction to the centenary edition of War Horse at the opening of an in-depth exhibition of the men who fought who have family connections to the area, from that time and the present. At lunchtime, ploughman's lunches were served, with cream teas in the afternoon. In the evening, the entertainment of the era was remembered with Hatherleigh Silver Band, members of Hatherleigh Players, Geoffrey Cleverdon CBE and Brain Abell taking part. Donations collected at the event helped towards the cost of the event and the production of a book about Hatherleigh in the First World War. l Pictured above is Dorothy Ellis, the last living First World War widow, opening Hatherleigh's commemorations. Picture by Ian Snell