THOUSANDS of people turned out across Dudley yesterday (Sunday) to remember fallen soldiers who gave their lives while fighting for freedom.

A big Remembrance service was held in Dudley town centre, marking 100 years since the end of World War One in 1918.

Servicemen and women and community groups paraded through the town centre before a poignant service and two-minute silence at the cenotaph in Ednam Road.

Community-organised services were also held in other areas of the borough - including Stourbridge, Halesowen, Gornal, Kingswinford, Lye, Netherton, Quarry Bank, Wall Heath, Wordsley and Sedgley.

Dudley News:

Lye Remembrance parade - Sarah Bonner - News Group Camera Club

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Old Hill - John Harper - News Group Camera Club

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A wreath presented by Stourbridge Spiritualist Churct at Remembrance Sunday 

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The Remembrance parade in Kingswinford. Pic courtesy of MP Mike Wood's office

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Dudley South MP Mike Wood, who took part in the Remembrance parade in Kingswinford - pictured above, said: “It has been an honour, as always, to be part of the Royal British Legion’s Remembrance Sunday Parade and to lay a wreath to the fallen at the war memorial outside St Mary’s Church in Kingswinford.

“The support for our soldiers and veterans shown by members of the public is always incredibly heart-warming and the streets of Kingswinford were packed on Sunday morning as the whole community came together to pay their respects.

“As well as our local veterans, it was fantastic to see so many young people joining the parade and laying wreaths, including the Rainbow Scouts, Beaver Scouts and young adults from various cadet squadrons and schools.

“It was an incredibly moving occasion and the perfect way to mark the centenary anniversary of the end of the First World War.”

Dudley News:

Remembering the fallen in Woodsetton. Pic courtesy of Cllr Kieran Casey

Dudley News:

Councillors Kieran Casey and Adam Aston at the Remembrance service in Upper Gornal

The Mayor of Dudley, Councillor Alan Taylor, thanked all those who turned out for Remembrance events across the borough and 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.

“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."

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

On empty chairs sitting among the veterans were a number of silhouettes, a poignant reminder and mark of respect to those who did not return from the Great War of 1914 to 1918.

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