Marlborough fell silent yesterday to mark the centenary anniversary of Britain’s entry into the First World War.

A wreath laying ceremony was held at the New Road war memorial which bears the names of 101 men from the town who were killed during the conflict.

The Royal British Legion, Army Cadets, Scouts, councillors, Second World War veterans 100-year-old Colonel Harry Beckhough and 95-year-old army flyer Lt Col Ian Neilson, 21 soldiers of the 4MI and members of the English Civil War Society paraded from Oxford Street, along Herd Street and then down New Street where they congregated around the war memorial.

Wreaths were laid by the mayor Marian Hannaford-Dobson, Col Beckhough on behalf of the Royal British Legion and by the 4MI Battalion who have the freedom of the town.

A prayer was read by the Rev Heather Cooper followed by two minutes silence which began and ended with a trumpeter sounding the Last Post and Reveille.

The ceremony was organised by Councillor Alec Light, chairman of Marlborough’s Royal British Legion.

He said: “Unfortunately we didn’t have permission to stop the traffic and we did have complaints from people who couldn’t hear what was being said but under the circumstances I think it was a nice ceremony and we commemorated what we wanted to.”

In Ramsbury the parish council organised a weekend of events which started with a screening of the First World War film Beneath Hill 60.

On Saturday there was an exhibition based on the men from Ramsbury who went to the war and on Sunday there was a concert of First World War music and poetry.

During the concert there was a roll call of the men from Ramsbury who died during the conflict.

Parish council chairman Sheila Glass said: “All the events were very well attended and the response from residents has been overwhelming.”

In Pewsey residents had the opportunity to light a candle at the war memorial to remember those from the village who gave their lives in the First World War.

A drumhead service was held at Avebury Church to coincide with the national Lights Out Campaign.

One hundred candles were lit and gradually extinguished during the service which included readings of war poetry, hymns and a lone Piper played laments.