Newtown fell silent today (Thursday) to remember those who lost their lives in conflict.
A two-minute silence took place at 11am, marking 102 years since the first two-minute silence was held on Armistice Day in 1919.
More than a hundred people gathered for a wreath laying ceremony at the War Memorial which bears the names of service personnel from Newtown who died in the First and Second World Wars.
Veterans from past conflicts stood as the Last Post sounded, including Bryan Jandrell, from Newtown, and 96-year-old Jack Ainsworth who joined the Royal Navy in 1943.
Second World War Royal Navy veteran Jack Ainsworth, 96, from Birmingham; Chairman of the Royal British Legion in Newtown Arfon Williams; Bryan Jandrell, from Newtown, who served with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers in Malaysia in 1955 and 1956, stand together
Mr Jandrell served in Malaysia with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers in 1955 and 1956. After observing the two-minute silence with his great-granddaughter, he said: "It went very good. There was quite a good turnout and it was especially nice to see the children."
Pupils from Ysgol Calon y Dderwen and Treowen CP School laid wreaths at the memorial during the short ceremony which was watched by children from other Newtown schools including Ysgol Dafydd Llwyd, St Mary's and Penygloddfa.
In the lead-up to Remembrance Day, nine-year-old Hollie has been showing her dad's Afghanistan War medals to her classmates at Ysgol Penygloddfa. She said Remembrance Day is important "because we should be really thankful because a lot of people sacrificed their lives".
Ysgol Penygloddfa pupils Hollie, Charlotte and Jemima, who have family members serving in the Army and RAF, stand near the poppy wreaths at Newtown's War Memorial. Picture by Anwen Parry/County Times
Pupils from Ysgol Penygloddfa attended the Armistice Day service at the War Memorial in Newtown on November 11, 2021. Picture by Anwen Parry/County Times
Today marked Arfon Williams' final Armistice Day event as the Royal British Legion chairman for the Newtown area. After 18 years in the role, he said: “It’s been an honour and a privilege to do the job for the town. I’ve had a good team behind me.”
Mr Williams added that it was important for the town's younger generation to attend the ceremony because "they have got to remember what sacrifice was made not only at the time but on their behalf now."
Each year, the two-minute silence marks the end of the four-year conflict in 1918 where an agreement between Germany and the Allies was made “on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month”.
The short service was led by the Royal British Legion chaplain The Reverend Canon Nia Wyn Morris with Mr Williams reciting the Exhortation and the Kohima Epitaph.
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