Remembrance Day was observed with solemnity and silence, on the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War whose 1918 armistice led to the consecration of November 11.

Hundreds of people, including the Island’s remaining veterans from the Second World War, gathered yesterday along Front Street before the Cenotaph.

At 11am, the 14 veterans stood at attention before Governor George Fergusson. A cannon boom signalled the two minutes of silence, which closed as a lone bugle played the Last Post.

Poppy wreaths were laid at the Cenotaph’s base by Mr Fergusson, followed by Premier Michael Dunkley, Hamilton Mayor Graeme Outerbridge, Leader of the Opposition Marc Bean and other dignitaries.

“On this day of remembrance, we meet to pay our tribute to all those who gave their lives in the cause of freedom in two World Wars — especially those who served in the defence of this land of ours, and are here commemorated,” Bishop of Bermuda Nicholas Dill told the gathering before giving a prayer.

The crowd along Front Street applauded and cheered the veterans as they were led away by the Bermuda Islands Pipe Band.

Mr Fergusson, who later attended a special lunch for veterans, called it “a beautiful day and a beautiful ceremony”.

“It was the biggest crowd I think I’ve seen since I have been here. It was very moving to have a chance to talk to some of these veterans about their experiences in a wide variety of different places.”

Among those who attended were ex-serviceman Harry Broadley, who will turn 88 this month. Mr Broadley watched the ceremony with his wife Beryl.

“It makes our hearts feel sad — the sadness of the war itself,” Mrs Broadley said. “It brings back much memory. My husband is always talking about his duties. He always likes to come and show his respect.”

Mr Broadley, who was unable to march, said he had served in the navy followed by the army, joining in 1944.

“I was in the Royal Navy, but what happened was I got in an accident and broke my finger — I could not use my hand, so I went in the army, the Bermuda Militia Artillery,” he said. “I worked with the officers here in Bermuda at the St David’s Battery.”

Eugene Levon, 61, from Pembroke, said he attended to commemorate his father Eric, a former Bermuda Militia Artillery soldier who served during the Second World War in Africa and Europe and who died four years ago — as well as his late brother Andre, a former Bermuda Regiment soldier who died in 2011 and his grandfather, also a former soldier.

However, some expressed disapproval of alterations to the ceremony, during which family members and others representing veterans were refused permission to march with the veterans, unlike in previous years.

In recent years, relatives had been permitted to march as a separate unit, wearing their family medals.

“When we got there this morning, we were all told we couldn’t march with the veterans,” said Wilfred Furbert, who had arrived to represent the Royal Artillery Association.

“I went into the service when I was 13 years old — I was also in the Bermuda Militia Infantry. My time in the service really agreed with me. I’ve been participating in this parade for years. I don’t understand why the arrangement was changed.”