WE remembered them.

Hampshire fell silent to honour its war dead at Remembrance Sunday services across the county.

In a poignant tribute to the servicemen who made the ultimate sacrifice, people of all ages, faiths and backgrounds gathered in Southampton to pay their respects to those who died fighting for our country, at a moving ceremony at the city’s Cenotaph in Watts Park.

Hundreds of residents looked on in respectful silence as representatives from the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force and cadets were joined by war veterans as they marched from Guildhall Square to the cenotaph, led by the City of Southampton Albion Band.

They were then joined by a civic delegation including mayor of Southampton, Cllr Terry Matthews, and city council leader Cllr Royston Smith.

In a heartfelt introduction, Cllr Matthews said: “We remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we enjoy every day.

“We think of how they have followed in the footsteps of your son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

“Please hold our servicemen and women in our strong arms. Cover them with your sheltering grace and your presence as they stand in the gap for our protection.”

The city then fell silent as the clock struck 11am, before spokesmen from a variety of different religions – including Jewish, Sikh and Hindu – gave moving speeches on behalf of their faiths.

More than 60 wreaths were then laid on the steps of the cenotaph by members of the Royal British Legion, universities and the county’s police and fire services.

In Winchester more than 1,000 people gathered at the city’s cathedral to witness the wreath-laying service at the cenotaph.

A poignant service was held inside where members of the armed forces were joined by representatives from the Royal British Legion, cadets, Scouts and Guides.

The mayor of Winchester, Cllr Barry Lipscomb, laid a wreath alongside Captain Christopher Fagan, Deputy Lieutenant of Hampshire.

The Rev Dr Giles Legood, a RAF chaplain, called on people to always remember the sacrifices made to us by past and present generations.

He said: “Though great strides have been taken in recent years by our nation to show its appreciation for our armed forces, the reality remains that for military personnel returning from overseas war to a country of peace, things are not always straightforward.”

More than 100 cadets, Scouts, Guides, and representatives from businesses and voluntary groups paraded through Eastleigh to the town’s war memorial in Leigh Road recreation ground.

The service of remembrance was led by the mayor of Eastleigh’s chaplain, Father Stephen Holmes.

He said: “Today is a day of mixed emotions.

It is sad to remember those men women and children who have given their lives in two world wars and the other conflicts of the last century.

“But from all the sorrow and hurt, good things have come from it. Europe is now united in a bond of friendship.”

Representatives from Eastleigh’s twin towns Villeneuve-Saint-Georges in France, and Kornwestheim in Germany also attended the ceremony.

In Totton traffic came to a standstill as serving soldiers, ex-servicemen and uniformed youth groups marched to the war memorial in Testvale Park.

Hundreds of people gathered in bright sunshine to honour the 57 Totton residents who died in the First World War and the 113 who gave their lives in the 1939- 1945 conflict.

The Rev Mark Prevett, of St Winfrid’s Church, Totton, praised those who had made the ultimate sacrifice.

“They had a genuine hope for a better future – a future without war, a future without terror,” he said.

Two of the wreaths were laid in memory of RAF senior aircraftman Kinikki Griffiths, 20, who grew up in Totton.

He was killed in a road accident in Afghanistan in July 2010 and his name was added to the memorial earlier this year.

In Fawley a few hours later parishioners packed into the 12th century All Saints Church.

They were commemorating the people who lost their lives in the two world wars and all subsequent conflicts, including Afghanistan.

The poignant service, led by the Rev Barry James, followed a parade led by the Hampshire Caledonian Pipe Band.

About 450 members of the 1st Battalion, Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment (1PWRR), held their own service in Afghanistan to pay tribute to past servicemen and women.

Portchester hosted a remembrance service with a difference on Saturday, with youngsters from the Royal Navy cadets and Army cadets, as well as Brownie, Rainbow and Guide groups playing a key role in the morning.

The exhortation was read by 10-year-old Rebecca Vaughan while youngsters also took part in the parade through Portchester precinct.

Around 1,000 people gathered at the war memorial, including the mayor of Fareham, Cllr Trevor Cartwright.

They heard prayers and sang hymns, before falling silent for two minutes to remember those who had lost their lives in battle.