Rain clouds cleared in time to mark the annual Remembrance Day Parade ceremony with rays of sun yesterday.

Hundreds of people lined along Front Street in front of the Cenotaph while many more clamoured for space on the Cabinet grounds to watch the ceremony.

Governor Sir Richard Gozney, who was taking part in the ceremony for the first time, joined Premier Dr. Ewart Brown, Opposition Leader Kim Swan and those watching in a moment of silence to remember the war dead.

It was followed with a laying of wreaths at the base of the Cenotaph and while the warm weather made watching the parade and ceremony a joy for spectators, it proved to much for at least one war veteran and a number of cadets.

St. John Ambulance workers were kept busy helping those who had fainted or felt ill from dehydration or low blood sugar, though none were seriously injured.

For Shawnette Smith it may have been a bit nerve-racking watching her daughter Shericka, 17, fall ill as one of the cadets on the Cabinet lawn.

But Ms. Smith said her daughter was doing fine and that for both of them it was the first time attending the parade.

She said: "I enjoyed it. My Aunt comes every year and I always watch it on TV. It's different to see it in person.

"It's very historic, I guess you could say, to see the war veterans here."

While some were new to the ceremony, many had attended including Lucille Dixon who honours both her late husband, Alvin Dixon, and other war veterans every year at the service.

She said: "I always come because my husband was a war veteran.

"He was a Sergeant in the Bermuda Militia Infantry. The service is always impressive and is a way to remember him."

For many in the audience it was also a chance to remember veterans while away from home, as visitor Grant Barclar from Ontario, Canada did.

He said: "I thought it was a very nice service. I always go to Remembrance services at home so I had to come to this service here.

"I am so glad to see so many veterans alive here in Bermuda. It was a nice service and very respectful."

Also joining the ceremonies were Earl Darrell, of the First Battalion Caribbean Regiment, Bermuda Contingent, Islowe Wade the widow of Mr. Arthur Wade Sr. of the first BN, CARR. Rgt.; The President of the Bermuda War Veterans Association, Garry Madeiros the Chairman of the Defence Board, Lt. Col William White the Commanding Officer of the Bermuda Regiment, George Jackson the Police Commissioner and Vincent Hollinsid the Chief Fire Officer.