VENTNOR man Paul Berry had the honour of representing HM Coastguard at the Cenotaph for Remembrance Day.

Paul, 30, works at the National Maritime Operations Centre in Fareham, and was one of 12 members of HM Coastguard selected. He was chosen due to his 13 years of military service in the Royal Navy and his marching drill expertise.

He marched to the Cenotaph with a mixture of full-time officers and rescue officers from all round the UK.

He said: "For the centenary of the First World War it was extra poignant for us to remember family members who had fought in the war. For me it was my great great uncle Jack (John Flux) who won various campaign medals and was awarded an MBE.

"The day was completely humbling to be part of. We formed up at Wellington Barracks and marched as part of Group 1 which is made up of the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, the Royal Fleet Auxillary, the Queen Alexandra’s Royal Naval Nursing corps and ourselves, HM Coastguard.

"We marched along Whitehall to the Cenotaph where the entire service lasted three hours. The crowds lined the route either side, which was huge. It was nice that people recognised the Coastguard as we marched past them.

"The most poignant moment for me was seeing the veterans march past as we stood lining the way for them as they had their time of reflection paying their respects to lost loved ones and comrades."

During the First World War and Second World War, HM Coastguard was called up by the Admiralty to go to war in royal naval ships.

On September 20, 1914, a single German submarine sank the cruisers Cressy, Aboukir and Hougue, and 1,400 men drowned, many of whom were coastguards.

Later that year German torpedoes sank the warships Hawke and Formidable, bringing Coastguard deaths even higher.

Coastguards were still providing their primary role of rescuing survivors off wrecked vessels, but they also provided lookouts to inform the Admiralty of any sightings of German ships and aircraft.