THOUSANDS of people attended annual parades and wreath-laying ceremonies across north and west Wiltshire to remember those who fought and died in two world wars and more recent military conflicts.

There were big turnouts for the Remembrance Sunday services in most towns this year following the lifting of Covid pandemic restrictions.

In Trowbridge, around 2,000 people attended the service at the town’s war memorial, including four generations of the Slade family who paid tribute to a relation Fred Slade killed in World War One.

Reverend Jake Eggertsen held his first Remembrance Sunday service at St James’ Church since being appointed Rector for Trowbridge and Keevil.

Local MP Dr Andrew Murrison was absent, having been sent to lay a wreath at the war memorial in Port Stanley, the capital of the Falkland Islands, to remember those who died in the ten-week conflict with the Argentinians in 1982.

In Bradford on Avon, town Mayor, Cllr Katie Vigar laid the Remembrance wreath on behalf of the town council, followed by representatives of organisations, after a service at Holy Trinity Church.

Former mayor, Cllr Sarah Gibson, said: "I was pleased to have been part of a very moving ceremony of remembrance today in Bradford on Avon.

"As I laid the wreath on behalf of Wiltshire Council in the beautiful autumn sunshine with golden leaves falling around us l was acutely aware how fortunate we are and how much we owe to those who step forward when needed."

Several hundred people attended this year’s event in Melksham which was organised jointly by Reverend Charlie Thomson, Greg McKay from the Air Cadets, Trevor Paterson from Royal British Legion and Melksham Town Council.

A large crowd also turned out for the Remembrance Service in Westbury. The Royal British Legion, uniformed organisations and youth groups paraded through the High Street to lay their wreaths at the town’s war memorial.

In Warminster, around 2,500 people attended the town’s Remembrance Sunday service and the laying of wreaths at the war memorial. The crowd was estimated to be one of the biggest-ever attendance in recent years.

Chippenham MP Michelle Donelan attended the national service at the Cenotaph in London, along with other Cabinet Ministers.

King Charles 111 led the nation in honouring servicemen and women who died in past conflicts.

A national two-minute silence was held at 11:00 GMT, with similar ceremonies at war memorials across the country.

Big Ben chimed 11 times as the silence began, with 10,000 war veterans watching on.

King Charles then laid a wreath at London's Cenotaph - the first time he has done so as monarch, following the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth II.

Other royals, including the Prince of Wales, the Earl of Wessex and the Princess Royal also laid wreaths, along with the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and other senior politicians.