Hundreds flocked to Front Street yesterday morning to pay their respects to those who paid the ultimate price for freedom in two world wars.

Glorious sunshine -- in contrast to the heavy rainfall of the last two ceremonies -- lit up the annual display of pomp and circumstance led by the Bermuda Regiment band and a platoon of soldiers on the grounds of the Cabinet Building.

They were joined by the junior leaders, the Police Reserves, the Sea Cadets and the North Village, Somerset Brigade and Salvation Army bands.

Thunderous applause, breaking the solemn mood, greeted Bermuda's war veterans as they marched to the Cenotaph for the ceremony.

Upon his arrival Governor Thorold Masefield, attending his first Bermudian Remembrance Day, inspected the veterans and then took his position at the front of the Cenotaph.

At the stroke of eleven, quiet descended upon the crowd for the time-honoured two minutes of silence.

The calm was broken by the haunting strains of the Last Post played by a lone Regiment bugler.

Mr. Masefield, in full winter uniform and plumed hat, then led a host of dignitaries in laying wreaths at the Cenotaph.

Premier Pamela Gordon, who was attending her first service as Premier, Opposition Leader Jennifer Smith and others also laid wreaths in memory of those who perished in the line of duty.

About 80 Bermudians lost their lives in the First World War and 35 in the Second. There are no known surviving Bermudian veterans of the 1914-18 conflict.

Representatives from the Island's major religious denomination led the crowd in song and prayer for those " who gave their lives in the cause of Freedom in the two World Wars''.

American Francis Smith from Maine said Bermuda's tradition of honouring its fallen heroes was splendid.

"It's wonderful how the veterans come out and march,'' she said. "We don't have this in the States.'' Youngsters, unaware of the importance of the occasion, revelled in the colourful display of pageantry. Ten-year-old Cameron Ramsey said that what caught his eye were the marching soldiers.

Vanessa Sutcliffe, 9, said her favourite part of the ceremony was watching the arrival of the Governor, who was ushered onto the grounds of the Cabinet Building by a Police motorcycle escort.

But older people said it was the chance to pay tribute to those that served in the Wars which drew them to the Cenotaph every November 11.

"I come because my father was killed in the Second World War and out of respect for all those who served for Bermuda,'' one woman said.

Her companion added as she wiped away tears: "It's very moving.''