Respectful crowds lined the High Street and Market Place in Chippenham on Sunday for the Remembrance parade honouring those who fought and died in conflicts past and present.

About 1,000 people came out to either take part in or watch the parade, which included the 9 Logistics Corps based at Hullavington, British Red Cross, St John Ambulance and the combined Sea Cadets and Air Cadets band.

At the head of the parade, Legion member Brian Pratt carried the silver mace to escort the deputy mayor John Scragg from the town hall up High Street to St Andrew’s Church.

There, Canon Simon Tatton-Brown gave his last Remembrance church service before he retires as vicar this Christmas.

He said: “We had more than 500 chairs out in the church and there was at least an equal number in addition standing outside.

“I spoke about why we remember; it is to stand alongside people in their grief and show they are not alone.”

Irene Sinclair, chairman of the Royal British Legion Chippenham branch, thanked him for all his services over the last 13 years and said: “It was such a lovely day weather-wise, a lot of the public turned out. The cadets were very smartly dressed.”

After the service there was an act of remembrance at the war memorial in Market Place. The Exhortation was given and buglers played the Last Post before a two minute silence.

The first wreath was laid by the deputy Lord Lieutenant Sir Mike Pitt, who took the salute outside the town hall.

Wreaths were also laid by Coun Scragg, Jim Scott for the Royal British Legion, Coun Peter Hutton for Wiltshire Council, Major Tim Parkes for 9 Theatre Logistic Regiment, PC John Brixey for the emergency services, and MP Duncan Hames.

Neville Hammersley, member of the Royal British Legion’s Chippenham branch, had the honour of carrying the gold and blue standard bearing the town’s name.

The day before he had done the same before the Queen, in the Royal Albert Hall’s Festival of Remembrance.

Mr Hammersley, of Lowden, said: “It was emotional, a long day but well worth it.

“Chippenham’s had the best turnout for many years. The church was bursting at the seams. I think with all the things that have been going on in the world and with the 100 years coming up, it has brought it to people’s attention.”

There was also a Sunday evening service with the Rev Simon Dunn at St Paul’s Church, where Coun Scragg read the lesson to about 300 people, including Scouts and Guides.

A two-minute silence was also observed by the Royal British Legion in the town hall at 11am today.