HUNDREDS of people paid their respects to those who have died in wars at a Remembrance Day Service at the Memorial Gardens in Ilkley on Sunday afternoon.

A procession, led by a small percussion band from the Air Cadets, and including local dignitaries, Air Cadets, Girl Guides and Scouts of all ages, left Whitton Croft Road behind the Town Hall at 2.50pm. The procession passed in front of the Town Hall and along The Grove, and members of the public joined the rear.

The parish council, the main organiser of the event, sent out invitations to many war veterans inviting them to attend the 3pm service, which was the first after the installation of the memorial to Ilkley’s own Victoria Cross winner, Harold Maufe VC.

After a short address from the parish council chairman Cllr Stephen Butler, the service was led by the Reverend Peter Willox of St John’s Church, Ben Rhydding. There were readings and hymns, with music provided by members of the Two Rivers Concert Band. After the wreathes were laid residents of Ilkley who died in battle were specifically remembered. The names of the 18 men who died during the Battle of Passchendaele, which ended on November 6, 1917, were read out by young people from the Air Cadets, Guides and Scouts. The Last Post was sounded and there was a collection for the British Legion. The service ended with the traditional singing of the National Anthem.