‘FOR our tomorrow, they gave their today’ was the poignant message as silence fell at the cenotaphs in Swindon and Royal Wootton Bassett on Friday morning.

Hundreds gathered at the memorials, including ex-servicemen, clergy, forces charities and members of the public as a two minute's silence was observed to mark Armistice Day.

In Royal Wootton Bassett, serving soldiers from the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, based at MOD Lyneham, joined comrades from past generations at the town’s High Street war memorial to pay tribute to those who had paid the ultimate price in conflicts of the past century.

Onlookers admired the knitted poppies, as well as the giant poppy man perched on a bench near the post office, before observing the poignant silence.

Matthew Walton from the Royal Wootton Bassett Brass Band also set the mood with harmonies from his trumpet.

Among those present was councillor Chris Wannell, whose father Major William James Wannell was part of the British Expeditionary Force during the Second World War.

“He came back to Dunkirk in 1940 on May 31 and he was never the same person again,” said Coun Wannell, who was instrumental in getting the town’s war memorial.

“It caused my parents to divorce and it did affect my life quite a lot, so I understand about war.

“The minute we forget what happened in the two world wars will be the minute we go back to war again and I hope we never do.”

Two metal wreaths, created by REME soldiers, took pride of place at the memorial with each poppy representing a soldier from the town who died in the First World War.

Bryan Kingscote, 81, president of the town’s Royal British Legion branch, who served in the RAF for 39 years, said: “It brings back a lot of poignant memories as a boy in the war and I remember all the men coming back from the war and those who didn’t.”

Richard Collins, 67, added: “Today is about remembering what they did for us otherwise we wouldn’t be here.”

Meanwhile Rev Michael Jones who gave a short reading said: “I think it is tremendous that people are still remembered, because it is not only about people who died in the first and second world war, but also people who have died recently in ongoing conflict throughout the world.”

Meanwhile in Swindon, shoppers and local office workers came together to join veterans and local political representatives gathered, dozens-deep, around the cenotaph at the junction of Regent Circus and Regent Street. 

The Last Post and the ringing of the bells at 11am marked the start of a two minute silence that was impeccably observed my all present.

Addressing the crowds, Father Dexter Bracey, Chaplain for the Royal British Legion, spoke of the sacrifice made in wars dating back to the First World War, but also of those who have given their lives in more recent conflicts including those in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

"We honour those who made the sacrifice to defend our freedom, and our democracy.

"But we must also remember those who are on active service around the world today, giving their loyal and faithful service in a cause greater than themselves."

He also asked for prayers for our political leaders, who, he said, were "charged with the heavy burden of deciding when to go to war, and where, and how, to deploy our troops."

Both Swindon and Royal Wootton Bassett will pause to reflect again this coming Sunday, when representatives from the armed forces will lead remembrance ceremonies to coincide with those at the cenotaph in London's Whitehall and around the country.