Surviving veterans of the horrors of war marched proudly past the Cenotaph on Sunday as the Island paused to remember the fallen.

Accompanied by the Bermuda Regiment Band and Corps of Drums, the Salvation Army, North Village and Somerset Brigade Bands, and the Bermuda Islands Pipe Band, they reflected on their comrades who fought for freedom in the Second World War.

At 11 a.m. guns fired at Fort Hamilton and Ordnance Island, St. George's, to signal the two-minute silence, held every year on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month to commemorate the end of the First World War.

Front Street was lined with families eager to observe this year's historic ceremony in which black representatives of the First Battalion, Caribbean Regiment, Bermuda Contingent, and the Home Services laid wreaths at the Cenotaph for the first time.

They joined the Reverend Dr. Erskine Simmons, Pastor Damon Hendrickson, Reverend David Addington, Cabinet representatives and Bermuda's armed services in observing the solemn occasion.

The morning was both overcast and sunny, with the heat proving too much for some. Four Regiment soldiers about to pass out had to be escorted to a seat by St. John Ambulance medics, while in the crowd, an elderly woman fainted.

Those watching, however, praised the service as both respectful and moving. Dorothy Harpel, 57, a tourist from Pennsylvania, said: "It was a wonderful service, and the two minutes of silence was very moving. We must continue to do this, it's important. We must not forget. I am very honoured to have seen this today."

Many in the crowd wore button Poppies to symbolise the scarlet flower which carpeted the fields of France and Flanders following the bombardments of the First World War.

Shortly after 11 a.m. bugler WO2 Neilson DeGraff EM sounded the Last Post and then wreaths of poppies were placed around the Cenotaph. The Queen's representative in Bermuda, Acting Governor Mark Capes was the first to lay a wreath, followed by Premier Dr. Ewart Brown, Mayor of Hamilton Sutherland Madeiros, Opposition Leader Michael Dunkley and Frank Farmer, President of the Bermuda War Veterans Association.

Then, in an historic occasion, wreaths were laid for the first time by black soldiers from the First Battalion, Caribbean Regiment, Bermuda Contingent, and the Home Services. Canon Thomas Nesbitt represented the Home Guard and Randolph Hayward was present for the First Battalion, Caribbean Regiment, Bermuda Contingent.

Mr. Hayward, 83, served from 1944-46 on the front lines of Italy and Egypt and said he was very moved to be able to take part in this year's service.

"It meant everything to me because it's the first time black war veterans have laid a wreath at the Cenotaph," he said. "I want to thank Colonel David Burch for driving the point of view. It was very moving indeed."

Wreaths were also laid by Garry Madeiros, Chairman of the Defence Board; Lt. Col William White, Commanding Officer of the Bermuda Regiment; Police Commissioner George Jackson; and Chief Fire Officer Vincent Hollinsid.

Those present to observe Remembrance Day were told: "Brethren, on this Day of Remembrance, we meet to pay our tribute to all those who gave their lives in the cause of Freedom in two World Wars, especially those who served in defence of this land of ours and are here commemorated."

Prayers and the hymns Abide With Me and Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise, then followed before bugler Neilson DeGraff rang out Reveille, symbolising death and resurrection.

The Remembrance Day Service paid tribute to not only those who served overseas in the two World Wars but to those who guarded freedom at home in Bermuda. The Home Guard were joined by Bermudians in Royal Naval Dockyard who kept to the Atlantic supply lines open, ensuring the British received essential supplies.

Veterans at Sunday's service were applauded by the awaiting crowds as they marched their way back along Front Street. Joining the military bands in accompanying them were also members of the Bermuda Regiment Gun Troop, Bermuda Cadet Corps, Bermuda Police, Bermuda Sea Cadets, and St. John Ambulance.

Herbert Tatem, of Paget, an 85-year-old machine-gunner with the Bermuda Volunteer Rifle Corps who also served in the Bermuda Volunteer Engineers, said: "We are getting shorter now because we're getting older. We used to fall in at City Hall and this year they've moved us to No. 1 Shed.

"It's a bit of a shorter march for us, as some of the fellows are not too good on their legs these days. But it has been a nice service, and the wreaths being laid for the first time this year, well they deserve it. Some people from Bermuda went overseas and came back with half a dozen medals."

John Ward, 85, a veteran of the 9th Submarine Flotilla, said: "I think the Service has gone very nicely. War is a terrible thing and those people that had to do their service during the war are still here to remember the dreadful times they went through and to acknowledge those who sacrificed their lives in the service of the country.

"In my family we lost several members in the Second World War and there were several high awards such as the George Cross. Sacrifices were made."

Mr. Ward, who is originally from England, said his second eldest brother was taken a prisoner of war by the Germans and imprisoned at Belsen concentration camp.

He said: "When I saw my brother a year later when he was repatriated he only weighed 90 pounds. Then five years later he had come back to the normal person he was. He passed away last year and I'm the oldest survivor of our family now. I had six brothers who all served and my sister worked in an ammunitions factory. We all went to war."