PICTURES: Poignant services across Dorset to mark Remembrance Sunday

Residents attended ceremonies throughout the conurbation, including Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch, West Parley, West Moors, Wimborne, Swanage and Wareham.

In Bournemouth a parade of cadets and marching bands began proceedings with a procession from Exeter Road through to the Central Gardens.

Watched by hundreds of people who had lined the street, they then joined dignitaries and veterans at the war memorial.

“We remember in thanksgiving and sorrow those whose lives, in world wars and conflicts past and present, have been given and taken,” said Rev Dr Ian Terry, as he began his sermon.

And then, following the Last Post, gunfire marked the beginning of a two-minute silence.

See all of our pictures from the Bournemouth parade here 

Prayers and the laying of poppy wreaths followed, including readings by serving members of the armed forces.

And David Warden, of the Dorset Humanists, gave a reading about the importance of peace.

“If we cannot accept a world of human difference we will never enjoy a world of peace,” he said.

After the national anthem and a blessing by Rev Terry, those who had taken part in the service marched away from the War Memorial to rapturous applause.

Members of the public, many with young children, lined Christchurch High Street for the parade from the Royal British Legion to the Priory.

The parade comprised veterans, youth organisations and civic leaders and many other community representatives.

Among the bystanders were former soldier with the Royal Signals, Paul Turner, 46 and his wife Judith.

He wore his own medals and those of his late grandfather, Patrick Sullivan.

"I always used to take him in his wheelchair to the service at Bournemouth and before he died I promised him I would give his medals an outing once a year," he said. 

Mr Sullivan served in Burma with the Royal Marines in the Second World War.

"There is always a good turnout at the Christchurch parade. It is very gratifying to see so many people especially with young children and families as we get further and further away from the two big conflicts of the twentieth century. It speaks for itself."

In the Priory, Second World War veteran Geoffrey William Drummond was presented with the Legion D'Honneur in recognition of his service to the liberation of France in the Second World War.

It was presented by Mayor Cllr Fred Neale on behalf of the French Ambassador.

Hundreds gathered in Poole Park for the Civic Service of Remembrance and Dedication.

Veterans, serving members of the armed forces, cadets, civic dignitaries and residents of Poole young and old came to commemorate the sacrifice made by men and women in the service of their country in all wars.

See all of our pictures from the Poole parade here 

Among those taking part in the parade through the park to the War Memorial were the crew of HMS Cattistock, Poole's affiliated Warship and officers from visiting French ship FS La Perouse. Dignitaries included the Mayor of Poole, Cllr Ann Stribley, Robert Syms MP and Police & Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill.

Conducting the service was Rev Michael Camp of St Peter's Church Parkstone, who spoke about the need to remember as well all those caught up in war - "those who were terrified and yearned for peace." He mentioned in particular "the Syrian refugees now looking to us to give them peace."

The Salvation Army band accompanied the congregation in hymns, and the service also included readings, prayers and the laying of wreaths. The silence following the sounding of the Last Post was also marked for the first time this year with a salute from a military field gun, which fired at the beginning and end of the two minutes.

In Wareham townspeople lined the streets to support the parade, led by the Wareham Town Band, which included beavers, scouts, brownies, cubs and guides as well as ex servicemen and women.

They marched through the town to St Mary's Church for an official service led by the Rev Canon Simon Everett.

See all of our pictures from the Wareham parade here 

See all of our pictures from the Swanage parade here 

It was soon standing room only - and barely that - as the parade, standard bearers and choristers packed themselves into the small church just in time for the 11th hour.

Tears were shed silently for the men and women who laid down their lives for their country.

Among the many prayers read, Rev Everett said: "We pray for all who suffer as a result of war, terrorism or oppression; for the injured and the disabled, for the mentally distressed and for those whose faith in God and in mankind has been weakened or destroyed.

“For the homeless and refugees, for those who are hungry and for all who have lost their livelihood and security."