Remembrance remains a vital way for service personnel to pay tribute to their fallen comrades and forefathers, as well as for society to mark their sacrifice.

That’s according to veterans as Belfast drew what’s believed to be one of its biggest crowds in years, as huge number of onlookers came out for the city’s Remembrance ceremony this morning.

Taking place at the cenotaph in the grounds of city hall, the solemn event saw past and present members of the military gather to mark those who gave their all in two world wars and in conflicts since.

Played in by a military band, the event saw dignitaries lay wreaths at the memorial to Belfast’s war dead, including lord mayor Róis-Máire Donnelly, parliamentary under-secretary of state for Northern Ireland Sarah Owen and senior officers from the army, navy and air force.

placeholder image — A solemn salute at Sunday's Remembrance service in the grounds of Belfast City Hall. Photo: Pacemaker Belfast

Huge numbers of members of the public both in and surrounding city hall came to a standstill in a two-minute silence, quietly marking the sacrifice of brave military personnel who stood guard over a nation and made the ultimate sacrifice.

Undoubtedly the most moving section of the ceremony was when former service men and women laid their own tributes, old soldiers pausing to salute the cenotaph and remember the friends and comrades who never made it home.

Among those reinforcing the importance of Remembrance was former Royal Irish Ranger Allan Clarke, a veteran with 18 years of service who told the News Letter that attending the annual event is a vital part of paying tribute to those who died defending freedom in both world wars.

“You hear people criticising this and that now, but these men died so those people could have the freedom to voice their concerns,” he said. “My father was Royal Navy during the Second World War, he was on a ship that was sunk off Sicily.”

Stating he was “proud to have served” in the rangers, he said the day also brings together former service personnel who immediately feel the camaraderie of their military brothers and sisters.

“That feeling, it’s not something that stops when you take the uniform off,” he said. “It’s great to see so many today, everything just returns to you. We’re here remembering the fallen, but we’re also here for each other, all together.”

Two people at the service went way back – Belfast deputy lord mayor Hedley Abernethy and former military policeman George Taggart, who met when a young Hedley was in George’s Boys Brigade troop.

Now in a senior position on the city’s council, Hedley said taking part in the ceremony was “really humbling”, especially when he gazed on the cenotaph’s lists of those gave their lives defending freedom.

“That memory needs to be honoured,” he said.

“For me, it’s important to say not only ‘lest we forget’, but also ‘let’s not do this again’. We must find better ways to resolve our conflicts than the use of violence.

“When I think of Remembrance, it’s very much with those twin approaches.”

George told the News Letter serving in the armed forces was “a great joy and privilege”, adding: “When I reflect on some of the lost colleagues, it brings home what Remembrance is about.

“We never should forget the sacrifices of all those young men down through the years who didn’t come home. We’re here in a free society thanks to them.”

Councillor Sarah Bunting said she believed the crowd at yesterday’s event was one of the largest at Belfast’s Remembrance in many years.

“It’s a real honour to pay respect to those who gave their all,” she stated. “It’s great to see that numbers are still turning out and the ceremony maintains its place in the hearts of the people of this city.

“It’s emotional seeing veterans here – they’re still coming, paying respects to those they’ve lost.”