Hitchin has paid its respects to the fallen this morning.

On the 102nd anniversary of the signing of the Armistice on November 11, 1918, our town fell silent as two veterans laid wreaths at the war memorial on Churchyard Walk.

In the shadows of St Mary's Church, a crowd gathered to watch the service.

They stood in silence to pay their respects to those who made the ultimate sacrifice during both wars and conflicts around the world since then.

Veteran Brian Page, who served in the Fleet Air Arm, laid a wreath and gave the reading, which included the 1914 poem For the Fallen, by Laurence Binyon.

Speaking to Nub News afterwards, Brian said: "It's very important to keep their memory going, definitely. We should never forget.

"It was a very good turnout today considering the circumstances."

Veteran and former Hitchin Boys' School alumnus Eddie Slevin, was another veteran who attended the ceremony and laid crosses.

Eddie, who served in the Merchant Navy, explained why he was there to pay his respects and honour the fallen.

"One of the chaps on the cross served in the Merchant Navy in World War Two," he said.

"The reason I put the crosses down was because every cross has the name of a merchant navy chap from Hitchin.

"It stated their name age and rank, where they died, the name of the ship and the cause of their death and all of them buried at sea.

"It is very important to remember, considering with what's going on at the moment.

"What's happened in London on Sunday, with the service greatly reduced, it was great to see the people of Hitchin pay their respects.

"I don't think we should forget, ever."

Hitchin councillor Ian Albert was also in attendance representing North Herts District Council.

The former civil servant and Labour councillor for Hitchin's Bearton Ward said: "On behalf of NHDC we wanted to continue as best we can the importance of Remembrance - even during a pandemic."

REWIND - Frank Young: Hitchin's VC

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them.

For The Fallen, by Laurence Binyon