Armistice 100: Thousands turn out for First World War anniversary Remembrance Day

Remembrance day, and the 100th anniversary of the Armistice, is marked in Seaham. Picture by Tom Banks

At Seaham, County Durham Deputy Lieutenant Derek Winter and Mayor of Seaham, Coun Barbara Allen, were among the dignitaries who joined the town’s cadet groups, the Royal British Legion and Pittington Brass Band for a service.

In Washington, a new ‘Tommy’ memorial constructed out of black metal and depicting a kneeling soldier contemplating was unveiled by the cenotaph, off Spout Lane, by Washington and Sunderland West MP Sharon Hodgson.

Army cadets mark Remembrance day, and the 100th anniversary of the Armistice in Seaham. Picture by Tom Banks

At The Galleries in Washington, a replica First World War fighter plane - on loan from the North East Land, Sea and Air Museum - was put on display.

Volunteers, dressed in period uniforms, laid a commemorative wreath and observed a two-minute silence.

The Seaham Remember Them Fund pebble display. Picture by Tom Banks

Today’s Remembrance Day service brought Houghton Methodist Church’s Festival of Poppies to a close at 10.30am.

The church has had a display made up of 2,000 knitted and crocheted poppies on show all week, along with paper flowers made by its junior church.

Cash raised through donations during the display has gone to the Royal British Legion.

In Durham, the crew of the French Navy boat the Pluvier joined hundreds of servicemen and women for the Remembrance parade.

The parade also featured the Pipes and Drums of the Royal Dragoon Guards, troopers from the Household Cavalry, members of the Royal Gurkha Rifles, the band and bugles of the Durham Army Cadet Force, and the Durham Constabulary Brass Band.