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THE nation fell silent this morning in honour of our war heroes.

Thousands of Brits lined the streets with poppies on their chests - bowing their heads for two minutes to remember the brave men and women who served their country.

Martin Leach, a Coldstream guards band bugler, played The Last Post at Westminster Abbey
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Martin Leach, a Coldstream guards band bugler, played The Last Post at Westminster AbbeyCredit: Reuters
In Cambridgeshire, Corporal Jason Hobson from the Royal Anglian Regiment, played the trumpet
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In Cambridgeshire, Corporal Jason Hobson from the Royal Anglian Regiment, played the trumpetCredit: Paul Marriott
A veteran bowed his head as he remembered fellow fallen service men and women
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A veteran bowed his head as he remembered fellow fallen service men and womenCredit: Paul Marriott
The nation has this morning fallen silent in honour of our war heroes
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The nation has this morning fallen silent in honour of our war heroesCredit: LNP
Cops have been forced to stand guard at the Cenotaph amid protests
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Cops have been forced to stand guard at the Cenotaph amid protestsCredit: AFP
Princess Anne leading a Service of Remembrance on top of the Armed Forces Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum
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Princess Anne leading a Service of Remembrance on top of the Armed Forces Memorial at the National Memorial ArboretumCredit: PA

There was solemn scenes as the country stood still to commemorate those who lost their lives.

A peaceful two minute silence is taken every year to honour the dead as part of Remembrance Day.

Princess Anne today led a Service of Remembrance at the Armed Forces Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum, in Staffordshire.

It is being attended by senior representatives of the Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defence.

read more on Remembrance Day

The memorable day however, has been clouded by protesters descending onto London with cops having to stand guard at the Cenotaph.

A Pro-Palestine march had been organised through London today, with counter protesters heading into the capital amid fears Armistice Day services would be interrupted.

However, isolated scuffles involving the counter protesters broke out just before 11am, with missiles thrown at cops.

In other parts of the country, services were carried out without attempted disruption.

In Cambridgeshire, Corporal Jason Hobson from the Royal Anglian Regiment, played the trumpet as part of the service.

A veteran in the crowd bowed his head as he remembered fellow fallen service men and women.

And on the coast in Bournemouth, locals gathered around the war memorial peacefully.

Union Jack flags were waved beside the Churchill Statue in Parliament Square, London, as huge crowds came out to pay their respects - avoiding issues.

Martin Leach, a Coldstream guards band bugler, played The Last Post at Westminster Abbey as one woman was pictured weeping.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps was also in the crowds to lay a wreath.

This year's Armistice Day commemorations mark the 103rd anniversary of the end of the Great War.

The Last Post sounded as Big Ben chimed to mark the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month when the armistice was signed - ending the First World War.

The two-minute silence has been a tradition since 1919 to remember those who gave their lives in all conflicts.

Many services on Remembrance Sunday will also hold a two-minute silence at 11am.

Quotes to remember the fallen

Czeslaw Milosz, The Issa Valley

"Praising what is lost makes the remembrance dear."

Harold Nicolson, British delegate to the 1919 Paris Peace Conference

"How important it is for us to recognise and celebrate our heroes and she-roes."

Maya Angelou

"When our perils are past, shall our gratitude sleep?"

Thomas Bailey Aldrich

"All we have of freedom, all we use or know — / This our fathers bought for us long and long ago."

Rudyard Kipling, The Old Issue

"When you go home, tell them of us and say, for their tomorrow we gave our today."

John Maxwell Edmonds

"The legacy of heroes is the memory of a great name and the inheritance of a great example."

Benjamin Disraeli, speech to the House of Commons, February 1, 1849

"You remember only what you want to remember. You know only what your heart allows you to know."

Thomas Campbell, Hallowed Ground

“To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.”

Laurence Binyon, For The Fallen

"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. / At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them."

READ MORE SUN STORIES

Paul Rubens, Your King and Country Need You

"We shall want you and miss you but with all our might and main / we shall cheer you, thank you, kiss you when you come back again."

Amy Tan, Saving Fish from Drowning

"You remember only what you want to remember. You know only what your heart allows you to know."

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps lay a wreath in London this morning
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Defence Secretary Grant Shapps lay a wreath in London this morningCredit: � MOD Crown copyright 2023
One woman weeped as she took part in the silence
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One woman weeped as she took part in the silenceCredit: Reuters
In Bournemouth, locals gathered around the war memorial peacefully
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In Bournemouth, locals gathered around the war memorial peacefullyCredit: BNPS
Union Jack flags waved beside the Churchill Statue in Parliament Square
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Union Jack flags waved beside the Churchill Statue in Parliament SquareCredit: AFP
There was solemn scenes as the country stood still
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There was solemn scenes as the country stood stillCredit: PA
Patriotic Brits have taken the time to remember today
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Patriotic Brits have taken the time to remember todayCredit: Alamy
The memorable day has been clouded by protesters descending onto London
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The memorable day has been clouded by protesters descending onto LondonCredit: LNP
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