From everywhere they came, to market squares, war memorials and village churchyards across the county as Wiltshire marked the 100th year of the poppy and, on the most solemn day of the year, remembered.

Old veterans with proud chests medalled, young cadets with shoulders back, Servicemen and Servicewomen taut in attention, all led by the Royal British Legion and carriers of the colours, formed ranks as they paraded in honour of the fallen.

In Devizes, the town’s detachment of the Army Cadets, the Wiltshire Fire Service, 2nd Battalion Military Intelligence from Upavon, the town’s squadron of the Air Training Corps, Girl Guides and local motorcyclists from the Royal British Riders and Devizes Scooters all fell in behind the Legion for inspection by the town’s Mayor, Cllr Chris Gay.

The dignity of the salute of Remembrance was replicated in town centres county-wide; Marlborough, Chippenham, Royal Wootton Bassett, Malmesbury, Melksham, Warminster, Westbury, Pewsey, every town had its silent ceremony as wreaths were laid and the Last Post played for those who shall not grow old.

In scores of villages the poignant sadness was the same; families in their Sunday best black coming to church to remember their own whom they lost, to plant tiny crosses around their memorial and to hear the roll call of their local fallen before all stood still to mark the Two Minute Silence.

And everywhere there were red poppies, worn as a show of support for the Armed Forces community since the Royal British Legion’s formation in 1921.

“For 100 years the poppy has evolved, but it remains an enduring symbol of Remembrance and hope for a peaceful future,” said the Legion as Devizes Quakers endorsed the wish and laid their white poppy wreath for peace.