TOWNS across west Wiltshire fell silent on Remembrance Sunday to honour the men and women who gave their lives during the First and Second World War.

Around 500 people attended the Act of Remembrance at the war memorial in Trowbridge Park before a service was led by Revd Dr Rob Thomas.

A number of wreaths were laid by dignitaries including mayor Cllr Roger Andrews, MP Andrew Murrison and representatives from the Normandy Veterans Association and the 32 Regiment Royal Artillery (The Wessex Gunners).

Addressing the crowd, Major William Naesmyth of Posso announced his retirement as president of the Trowbridge branch of the Royal British Legion and thanked the town for their support in the Poppy Appeal.

He added: “There is something that I would like to mention particularly when you look at the war memorial. None of the men whose names are there know that we won two world wars. They do not know that their loss and sacrifice would mean so much to us today.

“They do not know that their victory would mean a rise in living standards for people and that is why we should remember and thank them. We should also pay thanks to the survivors.”

Mr Naesmyth of Posso said after more than 20 years, he will pass over the reins of the Trowbridge branch to Air Vice-Marshal Martin Clark who he hopes will continue the town’s remembrance tradition.

Warminster also came out in force as hundreds of people gathered at the memorial in Portway.

A parade was led through the town before mayor of Warminster, Sue Frazer spoke at the start of the service.

She said: “We remember those lost in conflict past and present. We also remember those wounded in conflict and the challenges they and their families encounter as they face the major changes in their lives.

“We are grateful for them for their courage and strength for defending the values we hold so dear.”

In addition to readings from the Gospel of St John, a number of hymns were sung with the support of the Warminster Community Choir and Warminster Military Wives Choir.

Names of the 167 men who fell in the Great War and Second World War were also called out by students from Warminster School while dignitaries laid wreaths on the memorial.

Among the wreath and plaque layers was seven-year-old Leon McGuire laid his remembrance plaque with his grandfather Craig who served in the war and in remembrance of his late grandmother Jane who also served with the UDR.

War veteran John Bosley, who was a Private in the 11th Battalion of the Parachute Regiment, was also in attendance at the service with his daughter.

“I’ve been coming here for many, many years and since I moved to Warminster in 1965. I originally came here as a police officer and I volunteered to be on duty on every Remembrance Day service for the last 30 years.”

Over in Melksham, the annual parade was led by the British Legion along with the Wiltshire Youth Band from Trowbridge – a first in many years.

Kathy Smith, branch secretary of the British Legion, said: “Everything just went down really well, the service, the parade, it really did go exceptionally well and it was great to have a band again.”

The parade was attended by several groups including The Scouts, Brownies, Girl Guides and St John’s Ambulance who laid more than 20 wreaths at the war memorial.

In Bradford on Avon, The Royal British Legion, Air cadets, Suez Veterans Association, the Beaver scouts and veterans from the Royal Engineers and Chippenham MP Michelle Donelan, among others, laid wreaths and Revd Joanna Abecassis from Holy Trinity Church led the service.

Mayor of Bradford on Avon Alison Craddock - whose father died aged 97 in January and served as a royal marine trumpeter - laid a wreath at the service and said: “It was a really lovely service, as it always is.”

“I was delighted by how many young and uniformed organisations turned out to fill the church. It was a fabulous tribute.”

Courtesy of the Toolstation Western Football League, Bradford Town FC honoured the fallen by wearing poppies on their football shirts for their game last weekend and they also held a minute’s silence.

In Westbury, 37 wreaths were laid at the memorial in the town after a parade, which was led by the Trowbridge Youth Marching Band, passed along West End, Haynes Road, High Street and Edward Street.

The service was taken by Revd Sue Miles of All?Saints Church. Westbury mayor, David Bradshaw, said: “It’s always very touching and we get so many people each year, both young and old.

“It’s very well supported and the people of the town are very passionate about the event.”

A 40ft poppy was installed in Bratton to remember those who sacrificed their lives during the last 100 years at war which was placed on the side of Picquet Hill for the commemorative event.

Made from heavy tarpaulin often used on lorries and secured with 40 metal pegs, the poppy was the idea of the Bratton RBL and a Marlborough business.

Lieutenant General Louis Lillywhite, president of the RBL, said: “It’s been up there for about a week and we’re planning to leave it up there for another week but we have to be conscious that it doesn’t affect the grass underneath.

“Peter Gale, who owns the land, took it to Marlborough company Dobie Wyatt to see if they could repair it but instead they made us a much more robust poppy with a significant discount in price.”

An Act of Remembrance was also held on Armstice Day, November 11, from 10.45am at the war memorial in the village.