Britain remembers war dead
Britain remembers war dead at Remembrance Sunday services
Sunday, 08, Nov 2009 05:02
By Alistair Potter.
A two-minute silence was recognised this morning in memory of the troops who have fought and died in combat in the armed forces.
The traditional moment's reflection took place at 11:00 GMT across the United Kingdom, with homes and businesses observing the silence.
The 2009 memorial is the first since the last surviving veterans of the first world war passed away, although there was also heavy focus on the more recent ongoing conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Remembrance Sunday has unfortunately coincided with the death of another serviceman in Helmand province - the 94th Briton to be killed on duty in Afghanistan this year alone. In total there have been 231 deaths among the UK forces stationed there.
As is now traditional, the Queen led a commemorative service at the Cenotaph on Whitehall in London - laying the first wreath at the foot of the monument.
She was followed by the Duke of Edinburgh and other members of the royal family including Prince Harry and the Princess Royal.
Wreaths were also laid by prime minister Gordon Brown, Conservative leader David Cameron and Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg.