VETERANS of one of the Second World War’s most hard-fought and important victories gathered at York Minster for a service and wreath laying ceremony.

Nearly 30 ex-servicemen, all now in their 80s and 90s, came from across the country, proudly wearing their medals, to remember comrades who fell during the Kohima campaign in India 65 years ago.

Following a service yesterday morning, the veterans, their families and current members of the armed services, all made their way in to the grounds of the cathedral to hear the Last Post and see wreaths laid.

A minute’s silence was observed, followed by the solemn tolling of the Minster bells.

The soldiers then gathered on the steps of the Minster for photographs with military chiefs and the Civic party.

The Rev Angus Macleod, senior chaplain of 15 (North East) Brigade, who conducted the service, said: “The number of veterans obviously diminishes each year but we are seeing the number of family members starting to grow and that’s an interesting phenomenon.”

One campaign veteran, who made the trip from Glasgow for the ceremony, was Gordon Graham, 88, a former member of the First Battalion of the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders.

He said: “We all volunteered in 1939 and when they asked me what part of the service I would like to join I said the infantry because I couldn’t think of anything else.”

On the hardships of the campaign, he said: “It’s like going to the moon; it’s completely different from normal life. You learn a lot and it changes your values. You want to consume less and that’s a lesson many should learn today.”

Kohima was one of the key turning points in the defeat of the Japanese plan to invade India in 1944.

But the cost was high as the ferocious fighting claimed the lives of more than 4,000 British and Indian soldiers as well as almost twice as many Japanese troops.

Robert Lyman, head of the Kohima Educational Trust, said: “This was the battle which turned the Japanese away from India and it lasted for 64 days.”

Former member of the Queen’s Own Royal West Kent regiment Leslie Crouch, 90, from Maidstone, said: “It was more like First World War conditions. I wouldn’t like to go through it again.”

Edgar Merrey, 91, of the 7th Worcestershire Regiment said: “Today means a lot to me. People have shown me so much respect. The officers have been wonderful. I have been treated so well and it means a lot to me.”