Crowds gather as country falls silent

Events to mark the Royal British Legion's Remembrance Day started on Saturday in Cannock.

Members of the Army, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force and police paraded from the leisure centre to the town centre cenotaph where a guard of honour had been organised.

Local military veterans, youth organisations and members of the emergency services stood at the cenotaph, changing over every hour.

Yesterday a parade led by the Salvation Army band marched around the town centre ending at the war memorial.

Ex-servicemen, members of St John Ambulance, students from South Staffordshire College, Guides, Cubs and Brownies all took part.

A short service was led by Rev Peter Hart while poppy wreaths were laid at the foot of the cenotaph, standards were raised and the band played the Last Post and Reveille.

A two-minute silence was held at 11am followed by an hour-long service at St Luke's Church in the town centre.

Ex-serviceman Trevor Evans, parade marshal for the Hednesford branch of the Staffordshire Regimental Association, also released a dove.

The 66-year-old, of St Leonard's Avenue, Stafford, said: "It is most important we remember and with the Staffordshire Regiment returning to Afghanistan next year, it was even more special."

Nine-year-old Luke Westwood, who is a member of the 1st Blackfords Sea Scout group in Chadsmoor, was one of the youngsters who took part in the parade.

His father Roger Westwood, 52, of Watling Street, Cannock, said: "There's been a good turnout. It's very important for the little ones to see it as well."

Sheila Dunning, organiser and secretary of the Royal British Legion in Cannock, said the event had drawn an "exceptional" crowd this year. In Stafford, people gathered for a service yesterday at the war memorial in Victoria Square. Veterans from Staffordshire Regiment Association attended, along with others from across the country. Wreaths were laid and a silence held. Meanwhile, in Walsall, the town's mayor Councillor Dennis Anson led a civic procession from the council house to the cenotaph in Bradford Place where an open-air service was conducted by Rev Mark Kinder, vicar of St Paul's at the Crossing.

People were invited to sing hymns, accompanied by The Staffordshire Band and members of the Credo Singers. Councillor Anson said: "It was well attended. I was born just before the Second World War and I can remember the end of it. It's always a bit emotional for me."

Events were also held in Wolverhampton, Sandwell and Dudley.