Armistice Sunday was marked this morning with a moving ceremony at the foot of the Cenotaph which saw war veterans and ex-servicemen parade behind their Colours of their associations to the applause of hundreds who attended.

The usually busy area around the War Memorial fell silent as a saluting gun boomed a single shot to mark the Last Post, sending thoughts back to the muddy trenches of the First World War and the hunger and hardship of the second. As the reveille was sounded three RAF Tornadoes of 111 Squadron flew overhead in a tight V Formation.

The ceremony started with Mass at St John's Co-Cathedral, after which the veterans formed along one side of the side of the War Memorial and an AFM-Police Guard of Honour formed up on the other. They were joined by a detachment from the Civil Protection Department, the RAF and Sea Cadets, among others.

The AFM band drew applause as it played a number of favourites, such as It’s a long way to Tipperary and the more sombre They will never die, Land of Hope and Glory and Abide with Me - A prayer for God to remain present through life, through trials, and through death.

President Eddie Fenech Adami laid the first wreath of poppies, followed by the Prime Minister, the Chief Justice, the Speaker and Joe Debono Grech representing the Opposition. Wreaths were also laid by the members of the diplomatic corps, with the people applauding as they were followed by the ex-servicemen, frail but proud, medals gleaming from their chests.