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Armistice Day Commemoration at Hamilton Road Cemetary, Deal, by Downs Royal British Legion

Deal stood still on the 11th day of the 11th hour today.

People in the town observed the Two Minutes Silence for Armistice Day to remember the exact moment the First World War ended on November 11, 1918.

The youngest paid their respects at the Armistice ceremony
The youngest paid their respects at the Armistice ceremony

An Act of Remembrance was held at the War Graves Memorial at the town's Hamilton Road Cemetery Road.

The Rev John Lines, officiating, told the congregation: "The 11th day brings back so many memories, of bombed-out houses, newly-widowed people, of cold and misery and distressed children."

The Two Minutes Silence followed The Last Post and readings were given by groups such as the Burma Star Association.

The National Anthem was sung along with hymns such as Abide With Me and Eternal Father Strong to Save.

Those laying wreaths included Deal mayor Eileen Rowbotham, her predecessor Nick Tomaszewski and town councillor Ben Bano.

Schoolchildren honouring the war dead with wreaths
Schoolchildren honouring the war dead with wreaths
Armistice Day commemoration Deal. Former Mayor Nick Tomaszewski lays a wreath
Armistice Day commemoration Deal. Former Mayor Nick Tomaszewski lays a wreath

The ceremony felt especially moving when children, aged from under five to secondary age, also laid wreaths.

This event was organised by the Royal British Legion Downs Branch.

Cllr Rownbotham told Kent Online after the service: "I remember Armistice Day as a child.

"I was born in 1946, just after the Second World War and there were still lots of World War One veterans that we met.

"In school they would ring the bell, they would stop doing the lesson and there would be silence.

Army cadets smartly on parade for the ceremony.
Army cadets smartly on parade for the ceremony.
Standard bearers stand to attention at the Deal event.
Standard bearers stand to attention at the Deal event.

"Although Remembrance Sunday is very important there is something very special about the 11th hour of the 11th day. You think about the soldiers who died that morning before that cutoff hour.

"It's good to see the children here and for them to remember the horror and the terror of war and that young people made that sacrifice so that we've got the right to democracy."

Read more: All the latest news from Deal

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