THE changing weather withheld the unkindness it can inflict on Remembrance Sunday but the need to remember remained unchanged at Chester Cathedral.

Crowds gathered for the act of remembrance as young and old joined the services, civic leaders and the cathedral congregation for the silence, preceded by The Last Post played by Mandy McDonald of the City of Chester Brass Band.

After the dean, the Very Rev Prof Gordon McPhate, had said the familiar words of The Kohima Epitaph - When you go home tell them of us, and say, For your tomorrow, we gave our today - and The Reveille had sounded, a succession of wreaths was laid on the steps of the memorial cross, led by the Lord Mayor, Cllr Eleanor Johnson.

The Lord Mayor’s formal black and gold robes contrasted with the military uniforms of Captain James D Morley, Royal Navy, commanding officer of HMS Albion, Lt Col A Veitch, Royal Engineers, commander of Chester Garrison and Flt Lt Richard Jelfs, Royal Air Force, all of whom laid wreaths and took the salute with the Lord Mayor at the march past.

Earlier, in the cathedral service led by the dean, the address had been given by the cathedral chancellor, Canon Jane Brooke.

Units on parade included representatives of the 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh Regiment, stationed at Dale Barracks and the C (Cheshire Yeomanry) Company of the Royal Mercian and Lancastrian Yeomanry.

As always the day was marked by the red poppies and rows of medals of those who had proudly served and their families along with the many residents who simply wished to be there.

“At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them,” read the dean, catching the moment.