Large crowds gathered around the Cenotaph on Front Street to pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the armed services.

The annual Remembrance Day ceremony, held on the anniversary of the end of the First World War on November 11, 1918, brought more than 1,000 people to Hamilton.

Andrew Murdoch, the Governor, Zane DeSilva, the Acting Premier, and Ben Smith, the Opposition leader, were among those who laid a wreath of poppies at the base of the Cenotaph.

In addition to prayers and hymns, the crowd heard music from the Royal Bermuda Regiment Band & Corps of Drums, the Salvation Army Bermuda Divisional Band, Somerset Brigade Band and Bermuda Islands Pipe Band.

Diana Moore said she comes out to the event every year, stating that she thought it was important to reflect on those who have put their lives on the line for the wellbeing of Bermuda.

She said: “There aren’t many veterans that are still around, which makes it even more important that we give them their flowers and remember the sacrifices they and others have made.

“There’s a lot of lessons we can learn from what they went through, and I am worried that the message is being lost with time.”

Ms Moore added that she was surprised by the turnout, noting that she had a challenge getting close enough to make out all of the music.

“Last year was rather wet so I had expected more people this year, but there are a lot of people,” she said.

Mitchell Cunningham said he was happy to take in the ceremony while on holiday in Bermuda, noting that his father had served as a mechanic in the US Air Force during the Second World War.

He said: “It really shows you what the impact of the war was. Even in this tiny island in the middle of the Atlantic people were affected.

“I hadn’t really delved into the history of Bermuda’s involvement before I got here, but it is really fascinating how every community played a part and made sacrifices.”

Judith Pitcher, meanwhile, said she makes sure to come out to support those in uniform.

She added: “They always do a brilliant job with the parade and the music. They are the next generation and I want to show them the love.”

Captain Samuel Hewitt said he was honoured and privileged to take on the role of parade commander for the first time, adding that he felt a sense of pride seeing so many spectators turn out.

He said: “It’s one of my favourite parades.

“The message I wanted to share with everyone taking part is that we are the generation now responsible for keeping alive traditions and especially the memories of those who served before us.”

Pierre Le Fevre, a Pembroke resident originally from Canada, said his grandfather served in the First World War while his father served in the Second World War.

He said: “The world owes those people a debt — they are the people who created the liberal democracies that we live in, they made this possible, without that we could be living in totalitarian regimes.

“We need to make sure their memories are honoured and that we are reminded to fight for what they fought for — maybe not militarily but politically, as civic members.”

For Warrant Officer Class 2 Kavin Pilgrim, who was in command of the catafalque party — a guard around the Cenotaph — the parade was “bittersweet” as he nears the end of 25 years of RBR service.

Noting that the guard performed well, he added: “I’m very proud of them. I’m very proud of all the soldiers I’ve trained, every soldier I’ve had an influence on.”

Sergeant Major Pilgrim, an infrastructure services technician at Belco, said: “What I like about this parade is that we acknowledge those who, in the past, paved the way and laid a foundation for others to build a better future.”

Photo gallery