Sunday's crowds boosted by today's conflicts

And at Arundel, there was a very human reminder of the continuing demand on the country's armed forces, in the form of a Sergeant Major with the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment, who laid a wreath on the war memorial on behalf of the regiment, which has the freedom of the town.

The soldier, serving as a volunteer with the 3rd Battalion, has just returned from Iraq, and in January will be leaving for Afghanistan.

While his presence at Arundel was a symbol of current troubles in the world, the weekend's services and parades provided an opportunity for residents, community leaders, service organisations and uniformed groups to remember those who have given their lives in two world wars and other conflicts, whether decades ago or today.

Arundel's Royal British Legion branch organised the commemoration in Town Square on Sunday, with a maroon fired from the castle keep at 11am to mark the beginning of the two minutes' silence.

Littlehampton's Remembrance Sunday events began with the traditional parade from the town clock to the war memorial for a short service, including The Last Post, two minutes' silence and Reveille, and the laying of wreaths, including one by Deputy Lieutenant Sir Richard Kleinwort, representing the Queen, and others by councillors, service organisations and community groups.

The tribute, led by Littlehampton Royal British Legion branch, continued with the Remembrance Sunday service in nearby St Mary's Church, after which the parade re-formed to march to Caffyn's Field, to disperse.

Rustington Royal British Legion branch officials felt the numbers attending their commemoration were noticeably larger, too, on Sunday.

There was a parade through the village centre, from Churchill Parade to the parish church for a service led by the Rev Zachary Allen, which was followed by the act of remembrance at the war memorial, where the two minutes' silence was observed and wreaths were laid.

The Royal British Legion headquarters, in The Street, was the starting point for East Preston's tribute, with a parade to St Mary's Church for a service conducted by the Rev John Lyons, the branch chaplain.

Afterwards, the parade returned to the village war memorial for a short service at noon, where the names of those from the village who died serving their country were read out and wreaths were laid.

The silence was observed for two minutes and the Last Post and Reveille were sounded. Mr Lyons also conducted a short service at Kingston war memorial immediately afterwards.

Angmering's Royal British Legion branch and several other village organisations joined in the service at St Margaret's Church on Sunday morning, followed by a brief act of remembrance on the green around the war memorial.

Members of the Fleet Air Arm Association and the Royal British Legion were joined by people from Ford and Yapton at the Ford Airfield (HMS Peregrine) Memorial Garden, Yapton, for a service of remembrance on Sunday.

* Arun District Council chairman Stephen Haymes, MP Nick Gibb, town mayor Malcolm Belchamber and British Legion representatives were among those taking part in the two minutes' silence at Littlehampton's war memorial on Saturday, Armistice Day.