'Last Tommy' Harry Patch remembered during Armistice Day service

Thousands of people across Shropshire joined the rest of the nation today in paying a silent tribute to fallen war heroes.

Two-minute silences were observed at 11am, the time the guns on the Western Front were said to have fallen silent at the end of the First World War in 1918.

In Telford, a plaque was unveiled in honour of Britain's 'Last Tommy' Harry Patch at the church where he got married.

Mr Patch, formerly of Church Stretton, was the oldest surviving veteran of the Great War before he died in 2009, aged 111.

Mr Patch married Trench-born Ada Billington at Holy Trinity Church, Hadley.

The Reverend Vaughan Sweet dedicated the plaque saying: "All who see this plaque will remember the self-giving and sacrifice that we owe our freedom to, and which still protects our freedom today."

Hadley and Leegomery parish councillor Ron Plenderleith, who had the idea for the plaque, said: "We shouldn't forget these old boys. It's only because of them we are here."

Newport also fell silent today as residents paid their respects at a Remembrance Day service at the town's cemetery.

The mayor of Newport, Councillor Roy Scammell was joined by members of the Newport Branch of the Royal British Legion as well as the Newport Army Cadets and the Newport Loyal Volunteers.