THE CENOTAPH was the centrepiece for remembrance events across the town today as veterans marched once again through Swindon under bright blue skies.

Attended by dignitaries including the Bishop and Mayor of Swindon, both MPs, council leaders and representatives from community groups and all of the armed forces and emergency services, hundreds crammed into the square at Regent Circus to commemorate those lost in every conflict in the 100 years since World War One.

In an especially poignant year, with the standing down of troops from Afghanistan and the centenary of one of the most horrific conflicts in world history, veterans from the army, navy, airforce, Gurkhas and current servicemen were treated to spontaneous applause as they left the service.

Former soldiers remained astounded by the response from the public and took the opportunity to share their own stories.

Cpt Charles Dean, 90, of Old Town, was a Royal Marine Commando for 40 years since their inception in 1943, and served at Normandy.

“The service seems to get bigger every year, it is simply wonderful,” he said. “It is nice to see so many people coming together.

“During the silence I remember some events, like the 27 July when the war in Europe had finished, the last two ships to be sunk. They were the HMS Squirrel and the HMS Vengeance. I was on the HMS Nelson and we were tasked to take quite a few of the survivors and perform burials at sea. That was two months after the war in Europe had finished, but we were attacked by 300 kamikaze bombers. One of the ships was sunk by the bombers and the other hit a mine.

“I also think about the 23 marines I lost while we were serving during the Malayan Emergency, and there were some very good friends there.”

Eric Spencer, 79, of Park North, a former corporal, also used the two minutes silence to remember old friends and has never missed a service at the cenotaph.

“I signed up to the army in 1951 and served in Germany, Cyprus, Kenya, all over for almost 15 years,” he said.

“I have lost some very good friends and I always think about those lost comrades today. My old regiment the 3rd Battalion Yorkshire Brigade, have also lost quite a few while they have been out in Afghanistan, and they lost five in one go recently.

“I also think about one in particular, in Cyprus we were on patrol and got attacked and I lost some of my best mates that day. I was the bugler at the time and sounded the Last Post for one of them, Cpl Topper Brown. I don’t remember his real name.

“This year was special and we have had perfect weather. I never miss it each year, even when I have to turn up on crutches like this year. I normally march in the parade but I can’t keep pace with them any more.”

Services were also held at Radnor Street Cemetery beside the 104 war graves interred there, the Steam Museum, St Augustine’s Church, Purton, Wroughton and Cricklade.