PEOPLE from all generations lined the streets of Worcestershire to remember the fallen from wars past and present.

Thoughts turned to lives lost in Afghanistan this Remembrance Sunday as the Bishop of Worcester, the Right Revered Dr John Inge, gave a sermon on the human cost of war.

Speaking at Worcester Cathedral, the bishop said many who fought in the First World War thought they were fighting a war to end all wars, but soldiers continued to pay the ultimate price in more recent conflicts.

He said: “Our troops are still being called on to make the ultimate sacrifice, and this last week has been a particularly bloody one in which to make the ultimate sacrifice for a better world, a more peaceable world, on our behalf.

“First and foremost we need to pay attention to our own spiritual state and recognise that if there is a lack of peace in the world and between nations it is because there is a lack of peace between people, and if there is a lack of peace between people, it is because there is a lack of peace right here in our hearts.”

Following the service, people filed out towards the war memorial where representatives of the Armed Forces, the fire and rescue service, the police, Mayor of Worcester Andy Roberts, city MP Mike Foster and many others laid wreaths in honour of those who have died.

Lieutenant Duncan Hadland, aged 29, of Worcester, a member of the 2nd Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Worcesters and Foresters) was there to pay his respects.

He said: “It is important to remember both the lads lost in Afghanistan like Jason Williams and also those lost in previous wars. A lot of people have lost their lives in Afghanistan in the last couple of years and it is good now to remember all of them, all the way back to the first and second world wars. There has definitely been an increase in attendance this year. It’s so good to see so many people here and that when we’re out there, there are people thinking of us.”

Ron Haywood, aged 74, of Westview Close, Dines Green, Worcester, who served in Egypt in 1953 as part of his National Service with the Welsh Guards, said: “I always remember. Your friends in the Army are in a sense much closer than your friends in civilian life. You share everything and if you’re short, you pull your money together, you muck in together.”

Crowds gathered at other services across Worcestershire yesterday.

At St John’s, Worcester, the parade started at 9.30am in Swanpool Walk and went to St John’s Church for a 10am service followed by wreath-laying at 11am.

In Droitwich, the parade began at the Salvation Army Citadel before heading off towards Victoria Square where the Royal British Legion led a brief service and laid wreaths from 10.50am.

In Evesham, veterans met in the Market Square before a service at All Saints Church at 11am.

In Malvern, Sea Cadets paraded from the war memorial in Graham Road to Malvern Priory for a service.

A parade began at 2.45pm at Tenbury Road in Bromyard followed by a 3pm service at St Peter’s Church.

The Queen led the nation in paying respect to Britain’s war dead. Warmly clad in a black coat against the autumn chill, she placed the first wreath in the annual event at the Cenotaph in Whitehall.

Skies were threatening but the rain held off as the Queen was followed in placing wreaths by the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Harry, on behalf of the Prince of Wales who is on an official visit to Canada, and Prince William.

More wreaths were also placed by the Duke of York, the Earl of Wessex, the Princess Royal and the Duke of Kent.

They were followed by Prime Minister Gordon Brown, David Cameron, Nick Clegg, foreign secretary David Miliband, high commissioners from Commonwealth countries and defence chiefs.

About 7,500 ex-servicemen and women and 1,600 civilians then took part in a march past the Cenotaph.

The crowd 10 deep on the pavement observed the two minutes’ silence perfectly at 11am before the wreath-laying event.

Their minds were no doubt on the recent losses in Afghanistan