THE crowds that had gathered around the Peace Memorial in Ludlow town centre started to clear, so that a path was available to enable an old soldier to make his way to join those preparing to lay wreaths on the 100th anniversary of the end of World War One.

Supported by several generations of his family, Major Hugh Tudor, aged 96, is one of the diminishing army of men who fought in the second world war.

He served in the Royal Engineers and will have many memories of his time in service.

His presence and that of other former servicemen demonstrated that Remembrance in Ludlow has real meaning, even 73 years after the end of the second world war.

Weather that had looked threatening cleared as if under orders and the parade and ceremony took place in autumn sunshine.

The Royal British Legion led a parade through the town centre that included the uniformed services and other groups, including children for whom the two great wars of the 20th century of the stuff of history books.

Among that to lay wreaths was Beverley Leggett who have travelled all the way from Norfolk to remember her great grandfather William Charmer, who was just 17 when he died in the Great War.

William is just one of 143 names that have been engraved around the base of the Ludlow War Memorial that names all of those from the town who died in the First World War, Second World War and the Korean War.

Margaret Edwards and Jean Parker who led the fund raising for the naming of the dead were also on hand to pay their respects.

Ludlow Town councillors were present led by the Mayor Tim Gill.

Former deputy Mayor Paul Kemp, the town bugler, played the last post and Reveille.

The Ludlow Concert Band provided the music of Remembrance in the town centre.

Leading the prayers at the Memorial was the Reverend Kelvin Price, Rector of Ludlow.

The first wreath was laid by Ludlow MP, Philip Dunne, a former Government Minister in the Ministry of Defence.

Representatives from the three political parties in the town, Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat also laid wreaths.

By the time that the parade formed up to march to St Laurence Church, for a service of Remembrance, the area around the base of the Peace Memorial was a sea of red poppies.

The church was packed for the service that including poetry and readings as well as the traditional Remembrance hymns ‘Eternal Father Strong to Save’ and ‘God our Help in Ages Past.’

The day ended in Ludlow with a beacon of light on Gallows Bank, one of many up and down the country to mark a special day and a special anniversary.