HUNDREDS of people marched to Blaenavon war memorial to remember fallen war heroes involved in conflicts around the world.

A marching band led the procession down Broad Street to the town’s war memorial for a Remembrance service on Sunday morning.

Following the chiming of the clock at 11am, members of the public observed two minutes’ silence to honour the war dead.

Remembrance services in Torfaen had special significance as they commemorated the centenary of the start of the First World War.

Torfaen council leader Bob Wellington said: “We have got to get the message across — we should be making peace, not war.”

Dignitaries including Torfaen AM Lynne Neagle and Torfaen MP Paul Murphy attended another remembrance service outside Pontypool Civic Centre.

Torfaen MP Paul Murphy said: “It is a great event for Pontypool and one for reflection.

“So many working people were killed in both wars.

“It’s something we’re very conscious of in the Valleys.”

A procession made its way to the civic centre and wreaths were laid at the War Memorial Park Gates in the town.

Former RAF corporal Fred Gibbons, 81, who served in Suez in the 50s, said: “There was a good turnout. I was in the RAF for 22 years.

“One of my cousins’ names is on the gate. He has no known grave.

“He was in North Africa and Italy in the Second World War.”

Groups including the Royal British Legion, the Comrades of the Great War and the Veterans Association left wreaths at the gates.

Babs Alford, 93, represented the Auxiliary Territorial Service. She walked with difficulty to lay a poppy wreath by the gates.

She said: “I thoroughly enjoyed it. It is great to remember old friends.

“I did most of my time in Rugby in Warwickshire.

“I went up with the British Army to the Rhine after D-Day and I was in Belgium when the war ended.”

Gwent Police Chief Inspector for Torfaen Leanne Brustad said: “It’s a wondrous occasion. So many people turned out today.”

Pontypool Comrade Len Baker, 83, echoed her views: “There is a very good turnout.”

In Abersychan, a Remembrance service took place at 11am at the stone commemorating the Blenheim Bomber crash in 1940 on Garn Wen.

In Cwmbran, a parade made its way to the War Memorial Clock for prayers beore stopping in Cocker Avenue Park for a service and wreath-laying ceremony at 11am.

There were also church and Remembrance services in other parts of the borough including Henllys, New Inn, Panteg and Pontnewydd.