A DAY of commemoration in Christchurch began with the traditional short, simple and moving ceremony at Purewell Cross war memorial.

Veterans, officers of the Royal British Legion and members of the public joined civic leaders in the 10-minute service conducted by the Rev John Turpin.

See all the pictures from Christchurch's Remembrance Sunday service in a gallery

Wreaths were laid by the mayor, Cllr Denise Jones, Eric Barnes, president of the Royal British Legion, and Mike Parker of the Royal Naval Association.

Mr Turpin paid tribute to the fallen, the injured and to all still prepared to give their lives in current and future conflict.

The commemorations then moved to the town centre where the parade of veterans, civic organisations and youth groups including Scouts and Guides, Air Training Corps and Army Cadet Force, Sea Cadets, marched from the Royal British Legion in Bargates along the high street to Christchurch Priory.

Crowds lined the route, with onlookers turning out in huge numbers particularly wanting to mark the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War and the recent end of combat operations in Afghanistan.

In bright sunshine fitting for one of the most poignant Remembrance Sundays for years, wreaths were laid in the Garden of Remembrance as bells rang out in tribute. The Priory was full for the service.

Two minutes’ silence was marked and the Exhortation and Kohima Epitaph read by Mr Barnes.

There were also readings by the mayor and Gerry Nunn, RBL chairman.

In the sermon, the Venerable Dr Peter Rouch, Archdeacon of Bournemouth, said: “It is good to remember even if the lives we mark were given up before we drew breath.

“If we do not remember together, we are just a rootless aggregate of individuals.”

He added the act of remembrance was a gift.

“Increasingly, we have the sense that it is not just an obligation but an absolute necessity.”

The mayor, Cllr Denise Jones, took the salute outside the historic old town hall afterwards.

In the afternoon, Highcliffe saw the vicar of St Mark’s Church, Father Garry Taylor, leading a short parade from Abbots Close to the war memorial where wreaths were laid and a silence observed.

Alongside the civic party and youth groups on the parade was Oliver Maddock from the local branch of the Royal British Legion, who proudly bore the new standard which was dedicated on October 26.

The mayor of Christchurch also attended.

A service was held by Mr Taylor at the church after the Act of Remembrance.

Christchurch MP Chris Chope said the borough’s Royal British Legion was one of the strongest branches in the country.

“Christchurch is a very traditional town and nothing is more important to it than remembering the sacrifices of successive generations who have preserved our peace and freedom,” he added.