AT least 700 people packed into Ledbury High Street for perhaps the most poignant Remembrance Day Service for a century at the market town.

A November sun was shining for most of the service, and only a little rain fell immediately after Wing Commander Don Rule (retired) had finished reciting the moving Kohima Epitaph, which contains the words: “When you go home, tell them of us and say, for your tomorrow, we gave our today.”

Crowds stretched along both sides of the High Street, by the Market House and by the War Memorial, to mark the exact centenary of the close of the First World War, which ended at 11am on November 11, 1918, after the signing of the Armistice.

Ledbury’s Act of Remembrance was led by the chaplain of Ledbury Royal British Legion, Revd Bill Mackenzie, who said: “We remember today the causalities of war, especially the 128 men from Ledbury who died in the two world wars.”

Then all the names were read out, beginning with the First World War casualties, of which there were 85, and followed by those from the Second World War, of which there were 43.

The event represented a solemn coming together of the local community. Suitable music was provided by the Ledbury Brass Band, located under the Market Place, and the parade was a reflection of both the very young and the older elements of the community.

Alongside Royal British Legion veterans were representatives of the Army, Royal Air Force, the Royal Navy and the emergency services.

There were scouts, guides, cubs and representatives from Ledbury Swifts, the John Masefield High School and Ledbury Primary School.

The first wreath at the war memorial was laid on behalf of The Queen by the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Herefordshire, James Hervey-Bathurst.

Wreaths were then laid by Cllr Liz Harvey, on behalf of Herefordshire Council, and by Cllr Nina Shields, on behalf of Ledbury Town Council.

Wreaths were then laid by representatives of the armed forces, and then by other local organisations.

The closing parade marched past the war memorial before proceeding to St Michael and All Angel’s Church, for the Remembrance Sunday Service, which was led by the Revd Keith Hilton-Turvey.