AS silence descended across the county to remember the many who gave their lives in conflicts old and new, a small community in the centre of the Golden Valley lay a wreath in honour of one of their most treasured sons.

It was the 10th year in succession that poppies had been placed at the grave of Robert Jones on remembrance Sunday as villagers recalled the teenage soldier who fought gallantly in the Zulu War.

Celebrating 52 years of loyal service to the Peterchurch and District branch of the Royal British Legion, Cecil Jones laid the flowers at the foot of brave soldier's grave. Robert Jones was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions at the battle of Rorke's Drift in South Africa more than 100 years ago.

Role for youth

Elsewhere other communities across Herefordshire paid their tributes to the men and women who served the Union flag with such pride.

Army and Sea cadets joined the mayor's escorts and members from the British Legion in a grand parade through Hereford.

Children also played a fundamental part to the service in Kington. St John Badgers Emma Preece and Curtis Ambrose were just two of the youngsters who lay poppies at the town's war memorial in front of large crowds.

And on Tuesday at 11am, offices, supermarkets, factories and schools all stopped to honour those who lived and died in the country's defence.

Although far less formal than Sunday's proceedings, the two-minutes silence was granted the respect it deserved by much of the county.

Pyons and Westhope

A beautiful bright morning dawned for the Remembrance Day ceremonies at Pyons and Westhope but was it the weather that also brought out more than the usual volume of passing traffic.

Knighton

THE Mayor of Knighton, Councillor Derek Price attended the Remembrance Sunday service at Saint Edward's Church along with fellow members of Knighton Town Council, other local authority representatives, members of the organisations for ex-service men and women, uniformed youth organisations and Knighton's many other societies.

Father Andrew Pearce, Vicar of East Radnor, led the ecumenical service which included acts of remembrance, penance and dedication. The hymns included the traditional Oh valiant hearts, and the service ended with Make me a channel of your peace based on the Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi.

Cecil Rudge was organist, and Knighton Town Silver Band provided additional accompaniment. Band members Lynn Rowlands and Sue Galliers sounded Last Post and Reveille and Keith Hayward read the names of the fallen of the parish of Knighton in two world wars during the act of remembrance.

Major Bob Maslen Jones and Brigadier Andrew Maclauchlan read the lessons. Thomas Heakin assisted with the placing of the standards on the altar.

The Amnesty International candle in a north window of the church was lit during the service as a reminder of those who are still persecuted by oppressive regimes.

Before the service at Saint Edward's, there was a wreath-laying ceremony and prayers at the War Memorial in Peace Square.

Wreaths were placed by the Mayor of Knighton on behalf of the community of Knighton, the Royal British Legion, the Royal British Legion Women's Section, The Royal Air Forces Association, the Burma Star Association, the Army Cadet Force, the Air Training Corps, Knighton Guide Association, Tref-y-Clawdd Women's Institute, Knighton and District Probus Club, Rotary International and Tref-y-Clawdd Rugby Football Club.

Knucklas

Knucklas Cub Scouts attended the Remembrance Sunday parade in Saint Edward's Church Knighton, after laying a wreath on the War Memorial in Peace Square.

Dilwyn

THE sun broke through and shone on the parade of 22 members of the Royal British Legion who attended the Remembrance Day service last Sunday at St Mary's Church.