MORE than 3,500 people attended the Remembrance Day service in Trowbridge to commemorate the centenary of the end of the First World War.

Police and event organisers said it was the “biggest attendance” they had ever seen in the town and reflected the upsurge of interest shown in this year’s 100th anniversary.

Thousands of people packed into Town Park for the service at the Trowbridge War Memorial and gave a standing ovation to Bob Conway when the 92-year-old laid a wreath on behalf of the Normandy Veterans Association.

Captain Roy Zaman MBE, chairman of Trowbridge Royal British Legion, said: “Although he was very frail, Bob managed to lay the wreath and was given a standing ovation. It was very moving.

“The police were absolutely astounded by the attended at this year’s service; we had more than 3,500 people which is the largest in living memory. I have never seen such a crowd and the weather was fantastic.”

The service was led by Reverend Dr Rob Thomas, the Rector of St James’ Church, and was supported by Trowbridge Town Council and the Trowbridge RBL.

Captain Zaman spoke the exhortation and the Kohima Epitaph, which was followed by the playing of the Last Post by bugler Martin Holliss, a two-minute silence, the Reveille and the laying of 38 wreaths.

The Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire David Stratton laid the first wreath, followed by Trowbridge mayor, Cllr Dennis Drewett, on behalf of the town.

Cllr David Halik laid a wreath on behalf of Wiltshire Council and Sophie Murrison, daughter of local MP Dr Andrew Murrison, laid a wreath on her father’s behalf.

Air Vice-Marshal Martin Clark laid a wreath on behalf of the Royal British Legion.

Earlier, Pipe Major Rodger Huth had led the colour party parade through the town to the Trowbridge War Memorial with 250 people taking part.

They included a contingent of soldiers from the Royal Artillery at Larkhill, members of the RBL, the Royal Air Force Association, the Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiments, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Royal Regiment, the Wiltshire Army Cadet Force, the Trowbridge Squadron of the Air Training Corps, Trowbridge Sea Cadets, and the Scouts Association, including Scouts, Guides, Cubs and Brownies.

The salute was taken by Deputy Lord Lieutenant David Stratton OBE, Colonel David Carson MBE, Air Vice-Marshal Martin Clark CB, and Trowridge Mayor, Cllr Dennis Drewett.