Shropshire's young and old pay respects to war heroes

This boy clutching a poppy was among crowds in Shrewsbury. He watched on as a Remembrance Day parade made its way to St Chad's Church.

The scene was replicated in towns and villages across Shropshire and Mid Wales.

Few words spoken during Remembrance Day struck home as effectively as those from George Evans, a Normandy veteran.

He prompted sustained applause from crowds as he talked of his experiences in the war.

He said: "I remember my friends, my enemies too.

"We all did our duty for our countries, we all obeyed orders. Then we murdered each other.

"Isn't war stupid?"

And tomorrow shopping centres, schools and train stations across the region are again set to fall silent at the 11th hour to mark the exact moment the guns fell silent in the Great War.

In Wellington hundreds of people watched a parade through the town featuring former members of the armed forces as well as organisations such as the Brownies.

They marched to All Saints Church where a service was held, which featured the laying of wreaths and a two-minute silence.

Wreaths were laid on behalf of a host of organisations and groups such as RAF Cosford, the Wrekin Branch of the RAF Association, Telford Lions, and Telford & Wrekin Council.

Speaking during the service, the Rev Mark Ireland said: "In 2014 our thoughts go to particularly the outbreak of the First World War 100 years ago."

Parades and services attracted large turnouts as people paid their respects in the autumn sunshine.

Organisers and councillors from across the area reported record turnouts in many towns and villages, as crowds came out in large numbers in the bright weather.

From the former servicemen of the First World War and Second World War, to those currently serving in the forces, many were remembering friends and family members who died serving their country, whether on the beaches of Dunkirk or in Afghanistan.

Churches across the region were packed as prayers for peace were read.

People from across the generations sported poppies as they attended a wide variety of events across the region.

Members of the Army and other services joined veterans and there thousands of guide and scout groups did their bit at church parades.

Large parades, ceremonies and silences took place in places such as Wem, Market Drayton, Bridgnorth, Whitchurch, Ellesmere, Ludlow, Welshpool and Oswestry.

One of the best-attended events took place in Shrewsbury.

Dignitaries, representatives of the armed forces and members of Shropshire and Shrewsbury town councils left Shrewsbury Castle at 9am and made their way to St Chad's Church for a service.

Councillor Beverley Baker, mayor of Shrewsbury, hailed the event a success.

"It was absolutely wonderful and the turnout was superb," she said.

"We did an outside broadcast and there were lots of people listening. There were so many people, it was beautiful and it felt very moving."

Councillor Baker added: "We need to remember. By remembering we can build our future. If we forget about the past we can't build a new future.

"With all the services coming together as well as individuals it makes you realise people are thinking about what's happened."

In his homily on the eve of Remembrance Sunday at Shrewsbury Cathedral, the Rt Rev Mark Davies, the Bishop of Shrewsbury, said people can make a difference to a world torn apart by conflict and violence by seeking peace and reconciliation in their lives.

He also recounted a meeting last week with Margaret and Barry Mizen, whose 16-year-old son Jimmy was stabbed and murdered in an unprovoked attack in south London in May 2008.

The Bishop of Shrewsbury used Remembrance Sunday to spread a message of love and forgiveness.

The Right Reverend Mark Davies spoke of the tragedy of wars in the 100 years since the First World War started.

But he said the strength of the human heart can heal even the most intense feelings of pain.

Bishop Davies recounted a meeting he had last week with Margaret and Barry Mizen, whose 16-year-old son Jimmy was stabbed and murdered in an unprovoked attack in south London in May 2008.

He said their work to turn the tragedy into a positive by working to promote peace was an inspiration to the whole world, where communities were being torn apart by conflict.

Mr and Mrs Mizen have been awarded an MBE by the Queen for their work increasing young people's awareness of the consequences of violent crime.

They have created a foundation in memory of their son, which works with young people by urging them to turn their back on violence.

Bishop Davies said in his homily on the eve of Remembrance Sunday in a Mass for Peace at Shrewsbury Cathedral: "On this Remembrance Sunday we can often feel overwhelmed by the tragedy of the past century and helpless before the continuing conflicts in the world today.

"However, peace always begins in the human heart and each one of us can make a difference to a world torn apart by conflict and violence by seeking peace and reconciliation in our own lives.

"The example of this couple, Barry and Margaret Mizen, who refused to give way to any hatred or bitterness because it would only perpetuate the hate and violence which had killed their own son shows the Christian path to peace," he added

"It is a demanding path which starts in your life and in mine.

"On this Remembrance Sunday, which recalls the courage and dedication of so many who gave their lives that we might live in peace, let us never sit back and restrict ourselves to asking how others might bring peace to our troubled world.

"But let us have the courage to seek that peace which begins in our own hearts, that reconciliation which Christ makes possible in our own lives," his homily added.