UK remembers war dead on Armistice Day

Commemorations took place across the United Kingdom on Saturday as a tribute to the nation's war dead.

A two-minute silence is held every year on 11 November at 11:00 GMT to mark the end of the First World War in 1918.

The end of hostilities between Britain and her allies and Germany was declared on "the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month".

Wreaths were laid at the Cenotaph in London as part of the Armistice Day Service of Remembrance.

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Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal attended the Service of Remembrance at the Armed Forces Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum (NMA) in Staffordshire.

The service was led by the The Right Reverend Libby Lane, Bishop of Derby, and included an Act of Remembrance, with a two-minute silence at 11am.

HRH The Princess Royal laid a wreath on the central plinth of the Armed Forces Memorial.

The Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall, which will be attended by the King and Queen and other members of the royal family, will take place on Saturday.

Remembrance Sunday events will take place at the Cenotaph in Whitehall on Sunday, with the National Service of Remembrance.

Chief of the Defence Staff, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin said in a video message posted to social media: "It may be something that binds us with our relatives of years gone by and knowing the sacrifice that they made and reflecting on the enjoyment that we have with the lives that we have today and the freedoms that we hold and cherish."

Stagecoach has announced that free travel will be available on all its bus and tram services across the UK for serving members of the Armed Forces, veterans and cadets who are travelling to take part in this year's Remembrance events.

The transport operator is offering a free service for serving personnel in uniform or with proof of a military ID card, veterans wearing medals or a veterans' badge, and cadets in uniform attending Remembrance services on Saturday or Sunday. 

The company has also commissioned a specially wrapped Poppy Coach, designed and created with support from the Armed Forces Covenant and the Ministry of Defence, for the Oxford Tube route between Carterton and London.