Local war veterans and hundreds of onlookers braved overcast conditions yesterday to pay tribute to those Bermudians who lost their lives in war.

During Remembrance Day ceremonies before the Cenotaph on Front Street yesterday, veterans standing proudly observed the traditional two minutes of silence at 11 a.m. and then watched as dignitaries laid red poppy wreaths in honour of their friends and partners who perished in the war.

Eighty-six-year-old Second World War veteran Mr. John W. DeShield, who was an officer's batman, said Remembrance Day "was a day to remember comrades who fell out''.

"A lot of our comrades died in the war and today we can remember them. In the army they told us that this is our day,'' he said. "It is also a good day for the children.'' Remembering his days in the war Mr. DeShield said: "I cleaned officers rooms and his brass. Wherever he went I went. I was at the front line with the officer.'' He added: "War is dreadful. There were days when we did a lot of marching and I was so tired I didn't care whether I lived or died.'' Mr. Frank Flood 82, patrolled Bermuda aboard HMS Castle Harbour .

"I was a submarine-chaser and my job was to protect Bermuda,'' said Mr.

Floodm who paraded in a wheelchair. "Remembrance Day means a lot to me because I lost a lot of friends. It brings back memories.'' Several groups participated, included Royal Navy personnel, crew from the HMS Herald , the Bermuda Regiment and their junior leaders, US Navy personnel, the Bermuda Police Cadets and junior cadets.

Governor Lord Waddington inspected the war veterans' ranks, stopping to speak to a few of them.

This Remembrance Day ceremony will be the last for the US Navy and the Royal Navy as their bases prepare to close next year.

Eighty Bermudians died in the First World War and 35 lost their lives in the Second World War.

Earlier in the day at Albouys Point, war veterans and the Royal Naval Association gathered before a stone sundial to honour the memory of the men of HMS Jervis Bay , a Second World War armed merchant ship which was sunk by the German pocket battleship Admiral Scheer as it fought to save the convoy it was escorting.

On November 5 in the mid-Atlantic, Jervis Bay which was under the orders of Captain E.F.S. Fegan, sank after being hit again and again with the loss of 89 crew members.

Former Archdeacon Thomas Dyson said: "A convoy lived when Jervis Bay steamed wittingly to die and when from out of the silence spelled the tale of blood well spent they said: `His (Capt. Fegan's) gallant heart was stilled and we who knew him smiled and thrilled to feel it beat content.''