SILENCE blanketed Huddersfield yesterday as tens of thousands of people held a two-minute vigil for those who have fallen in war.
The silence was observed at 11am - the moment in 1918 when the guns of the First World War finally stopped firing.
As many as 10m people died in that conflict.
Armistice Day now commemorates everyone who sacrificed their lives in wars both in this century and the last.
Shopworkers in chains such as WH Smith, Tesco and Sainsburys took part, encouraging customers to do so, too.
A solemn, 100-strong procession of war veterans marched to the memorial in Huddersfield's Greenhead Park for a moving service.
Among those present were the Mayor of Kirklees, Clr Barbara Allonby, and youngsters from Huddersfield Grammar School.
Wreaths were laid at the foot of the giant cross by the mayor, a representative of the Royal British Legion, the head of Huddersfield police, Chief Supt John Holt, and representatives of regimental associations.
The memorial event was led by Jack West, president of the Huddersfield branch of the Legion.
The notes of Last Post echoed across Greenhead Park.
"Everybody wants to remember those who have fallen and do justice to them," said Mr West after the service.
Among the veterans was 80-year- old George Allen, of Waterloo.
He was a tail gunner in Wellington bombers during the Second World War. He was the only member of his original crew to survive the conflict.
He said: "In 1970 I had a major heart attack and a stroke, but I have tried to come here every year since because I believe so much in keeping the memory going.
"I look round today and see these old chaps and think `some of us got away with it'."
Mr Allen volunteered for the Royal Air Force when just 16. The official earliest enlistment age of Bomber Command was 18.
Elsewhere, silence was observed at a garden of remembrance in Birdsedge - the first time such an event had been held there.
Meanwhile, pupils at Rastrick Preparatory School planted poppies and wooden crosses in their school grounds.
Parents were also invited to take part in the commemorations.
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