TOWNS and villages across the Farnham area fell silent at 11am on Sunday in an immaculate Act of Remembrance on a scale seldom seen since the Armistice was signed 100 years ago.

A century ago, news that four years of bloody fighting had come to an end was met with great rejoicing across the area. But on Sunday, after The Last Post played out its last mournful notes at the Gostrey Meadow war memorial, nothing but birdsong and the rustling of trees could be heard in honour of the Glorious Dead.

This solemn tradition, which traces its origins to a Red Cross fair in Castle Street in 1916, was preceded by a procession of some 450 people from the site of that momentous event to the town’s war memorial for the traditional Remembrance ceremony, organised by Farnham Town Council and the Royal British Legion.

Huge crowds gathered in the town centre to witness this poignant parade – comprising the armed forces, veterans, local dignitaries, uniformed services and local Scout and Guide groups – led by Sergeant Andy Crane of Surrey Police and Colonel Tony Guthrie representing the Lord Lieutenant of Surrey, and the mayors of Farnham and Waverley, with music played by the Alder Valley Brass Band.

Once at Gostrey Meadow, the numbers were again so great the public had to find vantage points where they could see across the river and beyond.

A guard of honour – including female cadets from each of the services in recognition of 100 years of women’s suffrage – formed up, and after a short service led by the Rector of Farnham, Reverend David Uffindell, The Last Post was played by Steve Burgess prior to the vast crowd taking part in a two-minutes silence to remember the fallen.

The end of the silence was marked by the same trumpeter playing Reveille, after which one of the oldest veterans on parade, Percy Bartlett, 95, read the Kohima epitaph: “When you go home, tell them of us and say, for your tomorrow, we gave our today.”

Farnham mayor David Attfield said: “It is hard to believe that this time exactly 100 years ago our town would have been thinking about the sons, brothers and husbands who had left their families to fight in the war and that many would never come back or would come back changed men.

“The signing of the Armistice at 11am on November 11, 1918, marked the end of a dreadful time in the country’s history and that is why we continue to gather together each year on this day to thank the men and women who have served not only in the two world wars but many armed conflicts and peacetime activities since then.

“I’m honoured to represent Farnham on this very special Remembrance Sunday and would like to thank the parade marshal, Ian Hunter, for bringing all the contingents together so professionally.”

Representatives of veterans and military, civic and business, community and youth organisations laid wreaths at the memorial and Eva Porter laid a wreath on behalf of the young people of Farnham.

After the ceremony, the congregation walked to St Andrew’s Church for a remembrance service with a march past and salute taken in front of the town council offices.

Roger Brown, chairman of the Farnham branch of the Royal British Legion, said: “The turnout of the public was fantastic and it was amazing the sun shone as the parade started. Remembrance Sunday is such a special day for the British Legion veterans in remembering our forefathers and their families. If it wasn’t for them, we wouldn’t enjoy freedoms and lifestyles we enjoy today.”

Elsewhere across Farnham and surrounding villages, services were held in Badshot Lea, Rowledge, Hale, The Bourne, Wrecclesham, Weybourne, Elstead, Churt and beyond – with many schools, community groups, charities and businesses also hosting their own acts of remembrance throughout the week.