SILENCE fell across Dorset as thousands took to the streets to commemorate those who lost their lives in war.

Crowds of people gathered across the county to pay their respects to the fallen heroes on Remembrance Sunday with parades and church services.

This year's tributes had added poignancy as it is 100 years since the outbreak of the First World War and in Weymouth, hundreds of people lined the Esplanade for two services, one at the Weymouth War Memorial and one at the American War Memorial, which both included two minutes' silences.

Led by the Mayor's chaplain Deb Smith, prayers were read out before around 60 wreaths were laid by Weymouth and Portland Borough Mayor Cllr Kate Wheller and representatives from other local organisations, plus a number of youth organisations.

The parade, which also included 120 sailors from the visiting HMS Portland, then marched to the American War memorial for the second service.

Cllr Wheller said: “It was an excellent service and I am delighted with the attendance, it's really good that so many people came out to pay their respects.

“It's also very good that so many men and women could come from the HMS Portland as well to take part in the service, it was a real privilege to have them here.”

Neil Roper, a Royal Navy veteran, attended the service to pay his respects. He said: “I thought that it was quite a nice service, and it was really good to have the sailors from HMS Portland here.

“I'm glad the rain stayed away, and the crowds of people that have come out is marvellous.”

Tony Seal, a member of the Weymouth branch of the Royal Naval Association, took part in the parade. He said: “It went very well, the whole service was very well organised.

“It was very poignant, it always is, and it's a chance for us all to remember the ones who died in war.”

 

On Portland, the parade march started from the Drill Hall and continued to the cenotaph for the remembrance service shortly before 11am.

Forty sailors from the visiting HMS Portland also attended the morning service and shortly after midday, a ceremony was held at the American War Memorial in Victoria Gardens.

In the evening, Revd Tim Gomm held a service of remembrance at St John's Church at 6.30pm Both young and old came together in Dorchester to pay their respects, and following a parade of veterans, armed forces personnel and representatives of other local organisations, hundreds of people gathered at the War Memorial on South Street.

Revd Cannon Thomas Woodhouse led the service, which included a two-minute silence and the reading out of the names of local men who died in First World War in 1914.

In the afternoon a crowd also gathered at Fordington Cemetery for a service to remember German prisoners of war who died in the town.

President of the Dorchester branch of the Royal British Legion Les Cuff thanked all those who turned out for the occasion.

He said: “It's certainly a very emotional day, it brings back memories for me of my two brothers marching off to war in 1939.

“It's great to see the whole town coming out, it seems to be getting more and more people every year.”

Chairman of the town branch of the Royal Naval Association George Osborne, who joined the Navy as a teenager at the outbreak of the Second World War, was also impressed by how many people had come to pay tribute.

He said: “It's more than ever this year I think.”

Mr Osborne was also pleased to see so many young people involved in the event, with local scouts put at the forefront of the service.

He said: “It's a good think because this has got to go on when we have gone.

“It's got to be continued and must never be forgotten.”

In West Dorset, a parade and service of remembrance was held in Bridport, which started just after 10.30am and finished at Bucky Doo Square. A service, called “Dances for Peace” was also held at the Chapel in the Garden.

Speaking at the ceremony, Bridport Town Mayor Cllr Maggie Ray said: “Today we again pay tribute to those who gave their lives in two world wars, as well as those who have since fought in defence of our country.

“As town mayor I would like to thank everyone who has helped make today's ceremony such a moving and respectful occasion.”

In Beaminster, the parade was led by the Royal Naval Air Station band from Yeovilton and left the fire station at 2.40pm before a service at St Mary's Church, taken by Revd David Baldwin at 3pm.

In Lyme Regis, a parade of service veterans and members of local youth organisations marched from Langmoor Gardens to St Micahel's Church, before a short service which included the names of people from Lyme Regis who never returned from war.

We also have extensive photo galleries of the events. To view the pictures from Weymouth, click here, for Portland by click here and for Dorchester click here

A POPPY collection tin was stolen from outside a church in Weymouth.

The tin was being kept outside the St Andrew's Church Rooms on Church Road in Preston next to a Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal box with, for people to donate after getting a poppy.

Thieves struck between 8.30am on October 26 and 9am on October 27, when the tin and the unknown quantity of cash was taken.

Police are now appealing for witnesses and anyone with information regarding the theft to come forward.

The church's Reverend, Tim West, has urged the thieves to come forward.

Revd West said: “The poppy tin was left outside for the general public to buy some poppies and then one night it just disappeared.

“Now, there is no tin and people are just putting money through the door if they want to buy a poppy. We don't know how much money was in the tin because we just normally give it straight to the Royal British Legion.

“It is very much a shame, everyone regards act of remembrance as something that is very important, and so is raising the money for the British Legion.”