Remembrance services around the county were held in towns and villages to mark and pay respect to those who gave their lives in conflict.

On Sunday November 10, crowds followed the parade that began at the Shire Hall to the war memorial in St James’ Square for a solemn and poignant service to commemorate the men and women of the armed forces that gave their lives in conflicts since the First World War.

The parade was led by servicemen from the Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers and The Rifles, members of the Ross and Monmouth Sea Cadets and Monmouth School CCF.

Former servicemen and civic leaders followed the Standards of the Royal British Legion - Gerry Bright; Royal Naval Association - Tony Martin and the Royal Engineers Association - Ian Donald to St James Square.

Behind that were members of the emergency services, civic and group leaders, scouts, guides and brownies.

The service was led by the new minister for the Methodist Chapel, Rev Ian Griffiths, along with Baptist minister, Rev Jonathan Greaves, St Mary’s Priory Church’s Rev Timothy Dack and the chaplain from Monmouth School, Rev Dr (Mother) Alycia Timmis.

Senior students from the two schools in Monmouth played a big part in the service again this year.

MCS students Florence Hills and Saffron Jarvis handed out service sheets in St James' Square, Head Girl Molly Pittaway gave the Kohima Epitaph and head girl at Monmouth School (MS) Arabella Chowns gave The Ode of Remembrance.

Head boy at MCS Archie Barrell laid a wreath; head boy at MS Toby Crewe-Read and Head Girl Arabella Chowns each laid a wreath.

MS pupil Robert Bennett played the Last Post

Also laying wreaths were representatives from the armed forces, Ross and Monmouth Sea Cadets, Monmouth cadets, representatives for the MP, the Senedd and Monmouthshire County Council, members of the town's groups such as the Chamber of Trade, The Lions, Rotary, Probus and the Masonic Lodge.

Representatives from the emergency services, Wyesham WI and Ukrainian refugees laid wreaths as well as youngsters from scouts, guides and brownies associations and pupils from Osbaston, Overmonnow and Kymin View schools.

Music was provided by the Monmouth Town Band, supported by a choir from Monmouth School and St John Ambulance provided assistance to any that needed it.

A Service of Remembrance followed at St Mary's Parish Church.

• Skenfrith was just one of the many villages across the county that sent men off to fight in the Great War and a service was held at 3pm to commemorate those that gave their lives in the two world wars and subsequent conflicts, and to give thanks for those that returned.

The service was Led by Rev Mary Moore of the Grosmont Group of Parishes and wreaths were laid by Mr Robin McCleary MBE (Army retd.) and Karen Rockach, Skenfrith Community Council.

On Armistice Day, November 11, a service was held at the memorial in the grounds of Castle House, the home of the RMonRE(Militia).

A service was also held at Monmouth School where the Last Post was played by Robert Bennett and wreaths were laid by school students and organisations.

The Standards at this service were Tony Martin, RNA; Gerry Bright, Royal British Legion and Egor Tseliev, Monmouth School CCF.

Monmouth Town Council would like to thank everyone who was a part of the Remembrance Sunday Parade and those who supported the parade.

“We would particularly like to thank the Royal British Legion Monmouth Branch and Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers for their support with organising the event; Monmouth Band for providing the musical accompaniment; the students of the Haberdashers School that formed the choir, played the Last Post and Reveille and did a reading and the students of Monmouth Comprehensive School for handing out the Orders of Service and who also did a reading. 

“We would also like to apologise for the technical difficulties with the sound system this year and can assure everyone it will be resolved for next year.

“The people of Monmouth always honour those who have fallen in conflict and this year was no exception.”