Large crowds gathered in Barker’s Pool, Sheffield City Centre, this morning and held a two minute silence at 11am. 

The Lord Mayor of Sheffield, Jayne Dunn, did a reading at the service. She said: “I think it’s important to remember that we live in such a wonderful country with so much freedom of speech. People can love who they love, and people fought in the First and Second World Wars for that. 

“Even if people weren’t on the front line, they were stepping up, like my grandfather did as a firefighter, and like the Women of Steel here in Sheffield did to keep that liberty for others.”

The short service ended in applause, with military personnel and school children laying wreaths at the cenotaph. 

The two minute silence has been a yearly tradition in the UK and the Commonwealth since 1919. It commemorates the time and date that the First World War ended in 1918. 

The Royal British Legion says: “On Armistice Day we invite the nation to pause for a two-minute silence, and reflect on the service and sacrifices the Armed Forces make on our behalf.” 

The Lord’s Prayer and National Anthem were observed by most of the crowd. 

Lord Mayor Dunn said: “We’re also remembering all of those who are out on the frontline right now, supporting others while we have got so much conflict in the world. 

“We should never forget. It’s so poignant when you hear the Last Post, it just gets you.”