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South falls silent to mark Armistice Day

The south falls silent to mark Armistice Day

People across the South have observed a two-minute silence to mark Armistice Day.

Ceremonies were held in towns and cities including Reading, Oxford, Southampton, Basingstoke and Wimborne Minster on Wednesday.

The silence at 11:00 GMT marks the moment fighting stopped on the Western Front at the end of World War One in 1918.

Veterans, cadets, civic leaders and members of the public came together to remember those who died in both world wars, as well as subsequent conflicts.

Two uniformed female police officers stand together during a two-minute silence in daytime. A crowd can be seen gathered behind them.
Communities across the South came together to commemorate the sacrifices made during the world wars and other conflicts
A man in ceremonial robes stands holding a large gold staff over his shoulder. Next to him, a woman in military uniform holds a large blue flag. A crowd of people look on in the background.
Civic dignitaries led the Armistice Day ceremony at the Forbury War Memorial in Reading
A woman in beige coat is pictured from behind as she lays a wreath at a war memorial. An array of red wreaths have already been placed in front of the large monolith.
People came to pay their respects at the memorial in Reading

Reading marked Armistice Day with a ceremony at the Forbury War Memorial.

Scores of people gathered around the memorial as the town's mayor, Paul Gittings, led the two-minute silence.

"Every year it's great to see so many young people turning up as well as older people," he said.

"We need to pass down the message that we need to commemorate those who made the ultimate sacrifice."

Chew Munkonge, a black bald man in red mayoral robes and a gold chain, places a wreath of poppies against a wall.
The Lord Mayor of Oxford, Chewe Munkonge, led the ceremony at the town hall for the first time
A man in a military beret is pictured from behind as he looks upon Oxford Town Hall, where the Armistice ceremony is taking place. The mayor, dressed in red robes, can be seen leading the ceremony.
The crowd heard a short prayer before marking the two-minute silence in Oxford

People in Oxford gathered in the city's town hall to mark the occasion.

The Lord Mayor of Oxford, Councillor Chewe Munkonge, led the ceremony for the first time.

"The freedom we're enjoying today is because of their sacrifice so it's quite important for me to lead Remembrance and Armistice Day," he said.

The City Rector, the Reverend Anthony Buckley, gave a short prayer before the two-minute silence.

Gary Windsor, from Abingdon, who served in the British Army as a rifleman, said he spent it thinking of his grandfather and great-grandfather who had served in the world wars.

"In my own time, I was thinking of colleagues that are with us, some not, who served in Northern Ireland, which was my theatre, in the 1970s," he said.

"Overall I was thinking of everyone who's paid the ultimate sacrifice: friend, foe, everyone."

Two men in military uniform stand in front of a war memorial while a crowd gathers at a distance behind them. One of the men is holding a large coloured flag.
Southampton's Cenotaph took centre stage in the city's Armistice Day event
A group of people, mostly men, stand with their arms behind their back as they watch an Armistice service.
Veterans, cadets and military personnel marches from the Guildhall Square to the Cenotaph in Watts Park

In Southampton, crowds gathered at the Cenotaph in Watts Park to mark Armistice Day.

Veterans, cadets and military personnel marched from Guildhall Square to the memorial, where they were joined by civic guests for the silence.

A large crowd of people gather on grass around a stone memorial. Two people dressed in military uniform hold flags to the right. A reverend, dressed in robes, is stood near the memorial with his back to the camera. A group of people, including one man in a suit with a wreath in his hand, walks in the direction of the reverend.
People gathered around the war memorial on Minster Green in Wimborne
Two people dressed in military uniform and berets stand holding flags at the entrance of a church. A reverend in full robes is stood next to them.
A short service was held before the two-minute silence in Wimborne

People in Wimborne gathered at the war memorial on Minster Green for a short service and the two-minute silence.

The ceremony was followed by the laying of wreaths.

A man in a black Salvation Army hat with a short brim is pictured playing a trumpet in profile. Some uniformed naval cadets look on in the background.
A short service was held at Basingstoke's war memorial to commemorate those who list their lives during wars
A group of people stand together to observe a two-minute silence for Armistice Day. To the right, two men are wearing military uniforms and are wearing medals across their chests. A tree, with leaves turning yellow and orange, can be seen behind the group.
Basingstoke's memorial stands at the London Road entrance to the War Memorial Park

A short service was held at Basingstoke's war memorial, at the London Road entrance to the War Memorial Park, to mark Armistice Day.

The memorial was put up in 1923, two years after the town bought the park as a tribute to those killed in World War One.

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