SILENCE fell across Inverclyde yesterday to mark the centenary of the end of the first world war.

This year's Remembrance Sunday was particularly poignant as people remembered the sacrifices made by the armed forces for the country over 100 years ago.

As dawn broke, bagpipers played 'Battle's O'er' on Lyle Hill and at the Port Glasgow and Gourock memorials.

The community then united for a two minute silence at 11am to remember and honour those who paid the price for our freedom.

Throughout the day, people of all ages defied the damp weather conditions to pay their respects at services across the area.

At Wellpark Mid Kirk, Rev Alan Sorensen created a unique ticker-tape commemoration during his service on Armistice Day for those who died in the First Workd War.

Rather than a downpour of paper, he had printed the names of the almost 1800 Greenock men known to have died in the First World War on 290 metres of till rolls which were unrolled and passed along every pew from hand to hand.

He said: “It’s sometimes difficult for us to fully take in how many young men died in this one town, but everyone of us has now physically touched the names and details of all of these young men.”

The congregation were then invited to tear out the section paper they were holding and to take it home with them.

Mr Sorensen added, “Perhaps you might look at that name, or names, on your bit of paper and say a prayer of thanks for them, or perhaps for their descendants who may still tell stories of the loss of that grandfather or uncle.

“Or perhaps you might pray that our country is worthy of their sacrifice.

“Whatever, at least today you have been in a kind of a way physically in touch with one of those we remember on our war memorials.”

After the service, there was a parade to Greenock’s Wellpark War Memorial where Rev Sorensen conducted a ceremony in front of uniformed organisations and members of the public.

Rev Sorensen said that whether it rains or whether the sun shines ‘we will remember them’.

In a poignant speech, he said: “It’s the 100th anniversary of the day when the guns fell silent.

“This is the time when our nation takes stock of the horrific cost of the First World War and a time for us all to remember the cost of war.”

He continued: “We gather on this wet and grey November afternoon because this matters to us and to the world.

“Those in the trenches had no choice - so whether the rain falls or the sun shines, we will remember them.”

Bagpiper Pat Clark, from Lewis Road in Greenock, told the Tele he was proud to play at the ceremony.

He told the Tele: “My great uncle was a piper in the First World War and my grandfather was in the Navy in the First World War.

“And I’m also named after my uncle who died at Caen in 1944 just after D-day.

“So it’s a great honour.”

Also in the crowd were Fiona McLuskey and her three sons Jack, 12, Lewis, 10, and nine-year-old Ben, who live in Greenock.

Fiona said: “My husband Gary was in the army so he was at the cenotaph in London.

“As my aunt Irene O’Brien is laying a wreath we wanted to come along.”

At the ceremony, people stood in silent contemplation, as wreaths were laid in honour of all the brave soldiers.

The first wreath was laid by Lord-Lieutenant Guy Clark followed by Provost Martin Brennan, Inverclyde MP Ronnie Cowan, Greenock and Inverclyde MSP Stuart McMillan and the French Consulate M. Emmanuel Cocher, Consul of France.

Further wreaths were laid by Royal Navy and RNR, Police Scotland, The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, HMP Greenock, Inverclyde schools, Inverclyde Chamber of Commerce, Inverclyde Navy Club, Ex-Servicemen's Club, Greenock Argylls Association, Royal Air Forces Association, The Merchant Navy, The Salvation Army, Greenock Rotary Club, St Andrew's Ambulance Association, Greenock District Scout Association, 49f Squadron Air Training Corps, Greenock & District Sea Cadet Corps, Inverclyde & District Battalion Boys' Brigade, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Greenock Police Athletic and Literary Club, Greenock Golf Club, Greenock Cricket Club, The Independent Loyal Orange Lodge 102 (Men), The Independent Loyal Orange Lodge 102 (Women), The Apprentice Boys of Derry, Lodge Greenock St John’s NO 175, Lodge Crawfurdsburn Greenock No.1121, Lodge Greenock Kilwinning No 12, Orange & Purple District 39, Larkfield, Branchton and Braeside Community Council, Cardwell Bay and Greenock West Community Council, Greenock and Inverclyde Labour Party.

Wreaths were also placed by anyone else who wished to do so.

Last night, as darkness fell over Inverclyde, another poignant ceremony was held at the Free French memorial at Lyle Hill.

Speaking at the ‘Lights Out’ ceremony Rev Alan Sorensen alongside Fr Graham Kelly, of St Mary’s Catholic Church, said: “All the darkness in the world cannot put out the light of a single candle.

“We curse the darkness that war brought and still brings.

“ But we light the candle of hope in our hearts.”

Provost Martin Brennan then lit the beacon to signify to triumph of peace over war.