applause.

A crowd numbering hundreds turned out for the annual commemoration of the Island's war dead -- despite torrential rain for most of the service.

Taking part were the Bermuda Regiment, a contingent from the Royal Navy frigate HMS Boxer and a host of other uniformed organisations.

But the biggest cheers of the morning were reserved for Bermuda's ex-servicemen, now mostly in their 70s.

Around 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.

Former Private John DeShield, 88, served with the Bermuda contingent of the Caribbean Regiment in Italy and North Africa in World War Two.

He recently lost a leg and was unable to march -- but watched the simple wreath-laying ceremony from the sidelines.

Veterans Mr. DeShield said: "I have made pretty much all the parades, except when I lost my leg -- it's important to remember the men who never came home.'' Former Bermuda Police officer A.A. (Sandy) Powell was with The Rifle Brigade when Rommel's Afrika Corps swept across North Africa in 1941.

The ex-Desert Rat said: "I celebrated my birthday two days after the attack started -- they chased us like hell. It wasn't much of a birthday.'' He added: "I still find Remembrance Day very moving. I lost a lot of good friends. I still attend reunions of my regiment in London when I can -- it's very important to remember the sacrifice so many made.'' Former president of the Bermuda War Veteran's Association William Edwin Smith, 73, took part in the invasion of Italy and fought in Egypt with the Caribbean Regiment.

The ex-Lance-Sergeant remembered the 350-strong fleet he set sail with for the Italian campaign numbered only 50 when he disembarked.

He said: "There are a lot of memories here today.'' Former RAF Flight Lieutenant Martin Smith said: "There was a very good crowd.

"When you look back at the contribution Bermuda made in the First World War, it really is a remarkable accomplishment and it's always nice to remember.

Unfortunately, our numbers are getting less and less.'' Mr. Smith served with the RAF's Transport Command and joined the 1944 D-Day invasion of Normandy on his 21st birthday before taking part in the war in the Far East.

He and his crew were personally responsible for evacuating 1,300 wounded soldiers from Europe. RAF crews carried a total of 103,000 injured men out of a casualty list of 122,000 UK and Commonwealth servicemen.

Yesterday, Governor Lord Waddington led a host of dignitaries in laying wreaths at the Cenotaph after the time-honoured two minutes silence followed by the haunting strains of the Last Post played by a lone Regiment bugler.

It was the Governor's final Bermudian Remembrance service as he retires in the spring.

He was followed by Premier David Saul and Opposition Leader Jennifer Smith, both of whom were making their first official appearances as leaders of their parties at the ceremony.

They were followed by president of the Bermuda War Veteran's Association Frank Farmer, Col. Michael Darling, chairman of the Defence Board, and Mayor of Hamilton William Boyle.

Commander Eric Fraser, captain of HMS Boxer , laid a wreath on behalf of the Senior Service, followed by Lt. Col. David Burch of the Bermuda Regiment.

Photos by Tony Cordeiro FOR THOSE WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES -- Governor Lord Waddington, accompanied by Bermuda War Veterans Association president Frank Farmer, aide-de-camp Capt.

Brian Gonsalves and parade commander Arther Hughes inspect veterans parading at the Cenataph yesterday. Below, former Royal Air Fores pilots Hugh Waddington (left) and Martin Smith remain in high spirits despite the downpour.