HUNDREDS of people across the Forest and Wye Valley stood in silent tribute at local war memorials to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in wars over the last century.

At Lydney the band of the Air Training Corps squadron led the parade to and from St Mary’s Church.

Wreaths were laid at the newly-refurbished war memorial near the church but, unlike in previous years, did not remain there.

They were hung on a specially-made grid which was paid for by the British Legion and Lydney Town Council.

At Cinderford a name had been added to the memorial in the town centre – that of Lesley Jackson, a sailor who died aboard HMS Hermes in 1942.

At Chepstow, local piper Ron Moody, of the City of Newport Pipes and Drums, played a lament from the balcony overlooking the war memorial in Beaufort Square.

Two soldiers from 1 Rifles at Beachley, Jamie Harris and Damien Armour, played Last Post from the balcony.

Monmouth MP David Davies laid a wreath in Chepstow and his Conservative colleague and Forest MP, Mark Harper, was at Newent for the commemoration.

At Ruardean, Mr Norman Morris rang a single bell to accompany the reading of each of the 39 men from the area who made the ultimate sacrifice.

At Caldicot, the mayor, Cllr David Evans was joined by the High Sheriff of Gwent, Andrew Tuggey, leader of Monmouthshire County Council, Cllr Peter Fox and the president of the town’s British Legion, Gordon Hill, in taking the salute.

•See this week’s Review for more photographs.