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| Remembrance Sunday: Heads bowed as London falls silent | Remembrance Sunday: Heads bowed as London falls silent |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| As one, the thousands of people lining Whitehall bowed their heads the moment Big Ben struck. | As one, the thousands of people lining Whitehall bowed their heads the moment Big Ben struck. |
| All that could be heard at 1100 GMT was the fluttering of leaves on what was a crisp autumn day, and the distant sound of birdsong. | All that could be heard at 1100 GMT was the fluttering of leaves on what was a crisp autumn day, and the distant sound of birdsong. |
| There were veterans wearing medals alongside families in jeans and trainers. | There were veterans wearing medals alongside families in jeans and trainers. |
| What united them was not just the red poppy pinned on almost every chest, but their reason for being there - to stand together in memory of the nation's war dead. | What united them was not just the red poppy pinned on almost every chest, but their reason for being there - to stand together in memory of the nation's war dead. |
| Sgt Richard Lloyd, who is based at Wellington Barracks, said: "I was stood next to the cenotaph and absolutely nothing could be heard during the silence. It has been a fantastic atmosphere - very respectful. | Sgt Richard Lloyd, who is based at Wellington Barracks, said: "I was stood next to the cenotaph and absolutely nothing could be heard during the silence. It has been a fantastic atmosphere - very respectful. |
| "This brings the whole country together to remember those before us." | "This brings the whole country together to remember those before us." |
| During the laying of wreaths, many tried to catch a glimpse of the Queen as she approached the Cenotaph, using cameras to try to reach above the crowds. | During the laying of wreaths, many tried to catch a glimpse of the Queen as she approached the Cenotaph, using cameras to try to reach above the crowds. |
| Most could not see her, but simply being there was enough. | Most could not see her, but simply being there was enough. |
| Their appreciation of the monarch was demonstrated in a spontaneous moment as the last strains of God Save the Queen rang out at the close of the ceremony. | Their appreciation of the monarch was demonstrated in a spontaneous moment as the last strains of God Save the Queen rang out at the close of the ceremony. |
| A ripple of noise was heard heading down Whitehall which built into a warm round of applause as the Queen left the Cenotaph. | A ripple of noise was heard heading down Whitehall which built into a warm round of applause as the Queen left the Cenotaph. |
| Richard Sheldon, who served in Afghanistan with A Company, 4 Rifles, said: "I had never heard anything like that before. She deserves it. | Richard Sheldon, who served in Afghanistan with A Company, 4 Rifles, said: "I had never heard anything like that before. She deserves it. |
| "The two-minute silence had felt eerie - you never hear London that quiet. | "The two-minute silence had felt eerie - you never hear London that quiet. |
| "It's so nice to see everyone respect that. | "It's so nice to see everyone respect that. |
| "The whole atmosphere has been fantastic, to see people smiling at each other and not constantly looking down on their phones." | "The whole atmosphere has been fantastic, to see people smiling at each other and not constantly looking down on their phones." |
| Kate Coules, who brought her grandson to the event for the first time, said: "The Queen wouldn't not be here today - and we have to support her. | Kate Coules, who brought her grandson to the event for the first time, said: "The Queen wouldn't not be here today - and we have to support her. |
| "It's so important to come here. My father served in the Second World War and he always said: 'Nobody ever dies if you don't forget them.'" | "It's so important to come here. My father served in the Second World War and he always said: 'Nobody ever dies if you don't forget them.'" |
| Referring to security measures that saw people scanned before they entered Whitehall, and queues snaking up past the Houses of Parliament, she said: "I had to queue for 40 minutes but I understood why - they need to make everyone safe." | Referring to security measures that saw people scanned before they entered Whitehall, and queues snaking up past the Houses of Parliament, she said: "I had to queue for 40 minutes but I understood why - they need to make everyone safe." |
| Graham Foord, 59, from Dorset, who served with the Royal Marines for 24 years and has attended the ceremony in previous years, said: "Remembrance Sunday is always poignant. But this year is even more so - and it is the first year I am wearing my grandfather's and my father's medals as well. | |
| "There is an even bigger crowd than normal." | "There is an even bigger crowd than normal." |
| His brother-in-law, Thomas McGugan, had travelled from Florida and wore the Military Cross awarded to his own father. He said he felt "honoured" to attend. | His brother-in-law, Thomas McGugan, had travelled from Florida and wore the Military Cross awarded to his own father. He said he felt "honoured" to attend. |
| As well as the centenary of World War One and the 70th anniversary of the D-day landings, some had more personal anniversaries to mark. | As well as the centenary of World War One and the 70th anniversary of the D-day landings, some had more personal anniversaries to mark. |
| Maureen Norton, from Wigan, wanted to attend the ceremony for the first time as it is 40 years since her brother, Bombardier Terence Griffin, was killed in the IRA's coach bombing on the M62. | Maureen Norton, from Wigan, wanted to attend the ceremony for the first time as it is 40 years since her brother, Bombardier Terence Griffin, was killed in the IRA's coach bombing on the M62. |
| "It was important for me to mark the anniversary," she said. "I think it is fantastic how many are here - it is testament to the way people remember." | "It was important for me to mark the anniversary," she said. "I think it is fantastic how many are here - it is testament to the way people remember." |