FOR all the occasionally rancorous debate and accusations over the government’s support for our armed services, public appreciation of what they do is probably higher than it has been for several years.

And on Remembrance Sunday, thank heaven the politicians declared an armistice of their own and put on a united from to commemorate those who have fallen over the years in service of their country.

This time round, for the first time ever, there were no veterans of the First World War at the Cenotaph.

We knew it would happen one day: earlier this year the two last British-based survivors passed away within days of each other, including Harry Patch, the last of the Tommies to have fought in the trenches.

Now there are believed to be just three left, in Australia, Canada and the United States. Very soon, the Great War will slip irrevocably over the horizon of living memory.

But they will not be forgotten. As will those who fought in the Second World War – old men and women themselves now – and in the seemingly countless conflicts that have gone since, Korea, Suez, Malaya, the Falklands, two Gulf Wars and Afghanistan, to say nothing of Northern Ireland.

In truth, not all these conflicts have enjoyed unanimous political support at home. But at least the appreciation is there that those out at the sharp end are doing their duty for Queen and country.

The thick of battle is no time for politics, and, regardless of what may be debated in Parliament and the press, those involved in battle and warfare should be supported and honoured in what they do.