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Silence honours nation's war dead Silence honours nation's war dead
(about 2 hours later)
People across the UK have observed a two-minute silence to mark Armistice Day, the start of a weekend of events honouring Britain's war dead.People across the UK have observed a two-minute silence to mark Armistice Day, the start of a weekend of events honouring Britain's war dead.
In London's Trafalgar Square crowds paid tribute to the fallen by placing poppies in the square's fountains.In London's Trafalgar Square crowds paid tribute to the fallen by placing poppies in the square's fountains.
And thousands of UK troops abroad, including in Iraq and Afghanistan, held services to remember past and present colleagues who have died.And thousands of UK troops abroad, including in Iraq and Afghanistan, held services to remember past and present colleagues who have died.
Later, the Queen will dedicate a memorial for New Zealand's war dead. The Queen and Tony Blair are attending a service for New Zealand's war dead.
The Trafalgar Square event, called Silence in the Square, was hosted by GMTV presenter Ben Shephard, with live performances by the All-Angels and Charterhouse School Choir. Many members of the Royal Family were also at the event in London's Hyde Park.
It began with a royal guard of honour formed by the largest contingent of New Zealand forces to be seen in the UK since World War II.
The country's prime minister, Helen Clark, who is attending the dedication, said the day was a special one for her country.
HAVE YOUR SAY A huge number of people endured unspeakable suffering. Two minutes is the least we can give them. Colin, UK Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY A huge number of people endured unspeakable suffering. Two minutes is the least we can give them. Colin, UK Send us your comments
She added: "The dedication of the New Zealand memorial by Her Majesty the Queen brings to fruition a project which has long been planned for.
"Its genesis lay in the desire to commemorate the shared sacrifice of New Zealanders in times of war, alongside the people of Britain."
The Trafalgar Square event, called Silence in the Square, was hosted by GMTV presenter Ben Shephard, with live performances by the All-Angels and Charterhouse School Choir.
Rebecca Sullivan, 13, from Enfield, north London, recited a poem, There Lie Forgotten Men, which she wrote for a homework assignment and which was chosen by the Legion to be read during the commemoration.Rebecca Sullivan, 13, from Enfield, north London, recited a poem, There Lie Forgotten Men, which she wrote for a homework assignment and which was chosen by the Legion to be read during the commemoration.
The two-minute silence was followed by the traditional Reveille from a lone bugler and an RAF fly-past by four Typhoon aircraft.
At the Cenotaph on Saturday afternoon, a piper is to accompany relatives of British soldiers killed in Iraq to a memorial service organised by the National Military Families Against the War Campaign.
Lone bugler
The names of British service personnel and Iraqi civilians who have died in the conflict will be read out at the Whitehall memorial.
Meanwhile, British troops stationed around the world have also been paying tribute.
Being out here, it's quite a tough job to do - it brings it all home to you Andy Mason Royal Marine A chaplain's tribute in IraqBeing out here, it's quite a tough job to do - it brings it all home to you Andy Mason Royal Marine A chaplain's tribute in Iraq
The two-minute silence was followed by the traditional Reveille from a lone bugler and an RAF fly-past by four Typhoon aircraft.
At the Cenotaph on Saturday afternoon, a piper accompanied relatives of British soldiers killed in Iraq to a memorial service organised by the National Military Families Against the War Campaign.
The names of British service personnel and Iraqi civilians who have died in the conflict was read out at the Whitehall memorial.
Meanwhile, UK troops stationed around the world have also been paying tribute.
'Tough job'
In Baghdad, coalition troops gathered in the heavily fortified American Embassy where they were addressed by Lieutenant Mike Marley of the Royal Australian Army.In Baghdad, coalition troops gathered in the heavily fortified American Embassy where they were addressed by Lieutenant Mike Marley of the Royal Australian Army.
In Camp Bastion in Afghanistan, where the majority of British forces are based, some 1,200 servicemen and women turned out to pay their respects.In Camp Bastion in Afghanistan, where the majority of British forces are based, some 1,200 servicemen and women turned out to pay their respects.
Among them was Andy Mason, a Royal Marine, who said: "It's good to commemorate our dead, past and present. And being out here, it's quite a tough job to do - it brings it all home to you."
I hope it will serve as a focal point Jonathan Hunt, New Zealand High Commissioner 'Special bond' marked I hope it will serve as a focal point Jonathan Hunt, New Zealand High Commissioner 'Special bond' marked
The nationwide two-minute silence has been observed since the end of World War I, at 11 o'clock on 11 November 1918, to remember those who lost their lives then and in conflicts since. Among them was Andy Mason, a Royal Marine, who said: "It's good to commemorate our dead, past and present. And being out here, it's quite a tough job to do - it brings it all home to you."
The dedication of the New Zealand Memorial at Hyde Park Corner will begin with a royal guard of honour formed by the largest contingent of New Zealand forces to be seen in the UK since World War II.
Dignitaries from both countries, war veterans and more than 1,500 New Zealanders living and working in Britain will watch a fly-past by New Zealand and UK aircraft and performances by New Zealand and London-based Maori cultural groups.
Painted white
Among the New Zealand celebrities expected to attend are former national rugby captain Sean Fitzpatrick, ex-international cricketer Chris Cairns and pop singer Daniel Bedingfield.
Jonathan Hunt, New Zealand's high commissioner to the UK, said a shared heritage with the UK was "extremely vital".
The £1m memorial funded by the New Zealand government is called Southern Stand.
Later, the Queen will be joined by the Duke of Edinburgh and other members of the Royal Family for the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance, which takes place at London's Royal Albert Hall at 1900 GMT on Saturday.Later, the Queen will be joined by the Duke of Edinburgh and other members of the Royal Family for the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance, which takes place at London's Royal Albert Hall at 1900 GMT on Saturday.
On Remembrance Sunday, she will lay the first wreath at the Cenotaph in London.On Remembrance Sunday, she will lay the first wreath at the Cenotaph in London.
The nationwide two-minute silence has been observed since the end of World War I, at 11 o'clock on 11 November 1918, to remember those who lost their lives then and in conflicts since.