Thousands of people turned out as Dudley fell silent yesterday to remember those who gave their lives fighting for our freedom.

Servicemen and women and community groups paraded through the town centre before a poignant service and two-minute silence.

The Remembrance service in Dudley town centre, which marked 100 years since the end of World War One in 1918, took place at the cenotaph in Ednam Road.

The parade started in Vicar Street before moving along High Street, Stone Street, Priory Street and Priory Road before finishing in Ednam Road by the cenotaph. Councillor Alan Taylor, the Mayor of Dudley said:

"It was fantastic to see such a good turnout in Dudley to remember those who went off to war to defend our freedom, sadly never to return.

"I am sure it will have been reciprocated at all the other events around the borough, and is a strong sign that we will never forget our past.

"On this day, the 100th anniversary since the guns fell silent, it is even more important to remember the sacrifices made by people all those years ago.

"I would like to personally thank everyone who came, it was a very poignant and fitting tribute."

This year, a special tribute was made at the Dudley town centre Remembrance Service to mark the centenary of Armistice.

On empty chairs sitting amongst the veterans were a number of silhouettes, a poignant reminder and mark of respect to those who didn’t return from the Great War of 1914 to 1918. 

The transparent silhouettes are part of the national ‘There But Not There’ campaign and were used at events across the country today.

Community-organised services were also held in other areas of the borough on this morning. They included events in Stourbridge, Halesowen, Gornal, Kingswinford, Lye, Netherton and Quarry Bank.