Armistice Day: London falls silent in respect for Britain's war dead

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Ramzy Alwakeel11 November 2015

Londoners fell silent on Wednesday morning as a mark of respect for Britain's war dead.

The capital marked Armistice Day, November 11, by observing a two-minute silence in churches, schools and businesses.

And Trafalgar Square filled with Londoners for the traditional "Silence in the Square" event, which saw traffic lights set to red for the duration.

Veterans and military chiefs took part in a special ceremony in Whitehall, laying wreaths at the foot of the Cenotaph.

Remembrance: Mark Drewell pays his respects to his great-grandfather's cross at Westminster Abbey Jeremy Selwyn
Jeremy Selwyn

The Gurkhas were among regiments lining the street for the Whitehall ceremony, where singer Cerys Matthews read an extract from The Times newspaper from October 1915 about the deaths of 41 only-sons in battle.

The Queen spent the two-minutes silence privately at Buckingham Palace where she will remembered the war dead with her family.

Meanwhile the widow and son of murdered soldier Lee Rigby laid wreaths in Woolwich.

Jack Rigby and his mother Rebecca attended a service at St George's Chapel, where Fusiler Rigby's name is engraved on a brass plaque.

The little boy's father was hacked to death in the street by ranting terrorists in 2013.

Later on Wednesday, 19 British veterans are set to be presented with the Legion d'honneur, France's highest distinction, for their role in liberating France during the Second World War.

The medals will be presented by the French Ambassador Sylvie Bermann at a Kensington ceremony.

Additional reporting by Press Association

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