Abergavenny came to a halt this Remembrance Sunday in commemoration of those whose lives were given in service of their country.

Services held across the town this year marked the solemn occasion with special significance to commemorate the centenary of the Battle of the Somme, in which one million perished.

Sunday’s event saw crowds easily surpassing one thousand gathered at Abergavenny’s War Memorial to hold a two-minute silence in honour of the many whose sacrifice is recognised with each passing year.

Events were held over the weekend, with councillors and members of the Royal British Legion joining crowds to pay their respects.

Hundreds of Abergavenny residents held their silence at various events across the town, with commemorations of the dead marked at each gathering.

On Friday, traffic reduced to a hum as members of the Royal British Legion joined cadets, local councillors and around 200 local people to hold a two-minute silence at 11 am at Abergavenny War Memorial.

Mayor Woodhouse led the Lord’s Prayer following a rendition of The Last Post by musicians from the Royal British Legion and Air Cadets.

In the town centre, Councillor John Prosser, along with five pupils from King Henry School, unveiled a quilt put together by the pupils in commemoration of the war dead. The quilt depicted five themes of the conflict, and was patched together with the help of 130 pupils across five schools.

Over in Abergavenny’s Bailey Park, Canon Mark Soady joined Councillor Prosser to unveil a plaque with representatives of the Fields in Trust who work to reserve fields and secure them under a protected status.

Speaking at the war memorial on Sunday Canon Soady said, “A hundred years ago, tens of thousands of young men died in the Battle of the Somme and it is right we remember them today along with all the others who lost their lives in the defence of our Country, but I want us today to also remember those who while they are still alive also gave their lives.

“Those whose lives have been changed for ever by their injuries both mental and physical. With our act of remembrance comes a duty on us to continue to support these men and women for many years to come.”FOR MORE ABOUT THIS STORY SEE THIS WEEK'S ABERGAVENNY CHRONICLE