AT THE eleventh hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, 86 years ago, the guns fell silent.

And at the 11th hour, amidst the simplicity and peace of St John the Evangelist church in Holdenhurst village yesterday, the congregation fell silent to mark the Armistice; honouring the dead of two world wars, and of more recent conflicts including the Falklands, the Gulf and Iraq.

Their voices were strong as they sang the words of Eternal Father, Strong to Save. Their backs were straight during the Last Post and the two minutes' silence. Tears were discreetly wiped away by a generation which has seen more than its fair share of the misery and damage caused by war.

The service, organised on behalf of the Bournemouth War Memorial Homes, is held in St John's because, as Rev Andy McPherson explained: "This is the mother church of Bournemouth."

All three services, plus representatives of the Royal British Legion and cadet forces, were lead by standard bearers.

One of these was Mr Bob Wheatley, who served during the World War Two on many ships, including aircraft carrier HMS Formidable.

"This service is always held on the 11th day, no matter what day of the week it is. I think that's a good thing, because this is the day to remember," he said.

Mr Ray Cox, of Boscombe Royal British Legion agreed. Another sailor - he served on vessels including HMS Glamorgan - he praised the efforts of the legion to ensure the two-minutes' silence is kept on Armistice Day.

"Not everyone is in a position to attend a service on that day, so the silence helps to remind people," he said.

The service was attended by town mayor, Emily Morrell-Cross, who read the first lesson.

"I have been attending this service ever since I joined the council," she said. "It's very important to support the Poppy Appeal and to keep the silence on the day, and I'm just hoping that the rest of the world can observe the moment too."

Poole's Armistice Day commemoration was held at St Michael's Church, Hamworthy, Poole, where former 'Desert Rat' Harry Bullen laid a wreath of poppies at the Normandy Veterans Association stone, and smartly took the salute.

After a short service and silence at the lychgate in front of St Michael's Church, the 83-year-old, spoke of his memories and what the occasion means to him. Mr Bullen spent two years in the desert fighting with the 11th Hussars, a year fighting through Italy, then came back to England to take part in the Normandy invasion.

"It's great sadness and the remembrance of some terrible things that happen in war time," he said. "You see men fall, stumbling and getting to their feet and fall again and lie still for ever.

"People should remember. It is only by memories that you can perhaps safeguard the future. Everyone should remember," he said.

Proudly sporting a chest full of campaign medals, he is still collecting them, having received the French D-Day landings commemoration this year.

Around 30 war veterans and Hamworthy residents gathered for the act of remembrance taken by Sarum Reader Jacqueline Massarella, with the reading from Isaiah delivered by John Barham, lay pastoral assistant.

The Last Post and Reveille was sounded by trumpet player Roy Coad from Ringwood and Burley Band, and the standard bearer was Jillian Hurst from the Hamworthy branch of the Royal British Legion.

First published: November 12