By Alex Murray
Thousands of people across Leicester and Leicestershire paid their respects for the fallen servicemen who fell during conflict, on the day marking 100 years since the end of the First World War.
Various events took place across the county and city on Sunday(NOV11), with Leicester turning out in force to pay its respects, including a big procession at the Arch of Remembrance at Victoria Park.
Members of the armed forces, veterans and cadets marched through the city, starting at the De Montfort Hall and ending up at the Arch of Remembrance in Victoria Park.
Poppies lined the route as Leicester joined the entire country in paying their respects for servicemen and women who lost their lives in battle.
People paid their respects at a two-minute silence at 11am, with wreaths then being laid at the memorial monument.
Sir David Attenborough was one of the people to lay a wreath at the arch, to mark 100 years since the first donation was made to found the University of Leicester.
Members of the public were also allowed to lay wreaths to show their respects after the ceremony had finished.
Alan Cole, a member of the public who attended the service, said: “I think it’s a very important moment in history to mark, 100 years since the end of the First World War.
“Lots of men and women have given their lives to protect the freedom that we take for granted nowadays, and it’s great to see so many people coming out to show their respect for that.
“The two-minutes silence was respected very well, and very much shows the sacrifices that our servicemen and women have given to our country.”
This year’s celebrations marked 100 years since the guns of the Western Front fell silent, and the First World War ended.
Over one million British and Commonwealth soldiers lost their lives during the war, including the battle of the Somme, 1916, where over 19,000 troops lost their lives on the first day alone, the bloodiest day in British military history.
