VETERANS of some of the bitterest fighting of the Second World War today yielded to the only enemy to defeat them which is time.

With a sadness that even the offices of the Church could not fully dispel the standard of the Burma Star Association was laid up at St John's Church in Maindee.

The standard of those who fought in the Burmese jungle and mountains against an implacable Japanese foe joins those of other military formations which have already marched off into history or been subsumed into other regiments.

These include that of the Old Comrades' Association of the Royal Regiment of Wales, the Royal Engineers' Association and the standard of the Old Contemptibles from the Great War.

The oldest standard to be laid up atSt John's is that of veterans of the Boer War.

The Newport branch of the Burma Star Association was formed in 1965 with 60 members most of whom had served with the 14th 'Forgotten' Army in Burma but also with members from other regiments and corps in theatre including the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force.

As the standards of the old comrades' associations of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, the Parachute Regiment and the Merchant Navy gathered outside the church Mr David Kempe, branch president, spoke of his sadness that Burma veterans would no longer have a standard behind which to march.

"Those who fought in the Far East often felt they were the forgotten army" he said.

"I was in the 14th Army but we had Chindits and sailors and airmen who qulalified for the Burma Star medal.

"Now the number of active members has dwindled to six or so it is time to call it a day."

The Rev. David Neale who led the service said "When I accept this standard and lay it across the altar I accept the responsibility to remember the Newport branch of the Burma Veterans' Association.

"The standard represents those who are local to us and part of our community many of whom gave their lives in the service of their country."

The standard was taken to its final resting place by Mr Dennis Niesigh (correct) who served with the Royal Navy in Burmese and Sumatran waters.

The Burma Star Association in Newport has proudly represented the men and women who, despite their valour in the face of a ferocious enemy were overshadowed by wartime events in North-West Europe and the Middle East.

But in Newport and Gwent which sent thousands of soldiers to the Far East the men of the 14th Army and those who fought at their side will never be forgotten.