BOLTON fell silent on Sunday to remember those who had paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

More than a thousand people attended Victoria Square for a Remembrance Sunday service and two-minute silence, and paid their respects to Bolton service men and women who had died in the line of duty.

This year’s event also marked 100 years since the outbreak of World War One, a conflict which killed around 3,300 Bolton citizens.

To mark the centenary year, the Mayor of Bolton Cllr Martin Donaghy sprinkled soil from a former battlefield in Ypres, Belgium — which witnessed some of the bloodiest fighting during the four year conflict — onto the Victoria Square war memorial.

Cllr Donaghy, who attended the service with his two Mayoresses Gay Wharton and Jacqueline Tracey, told the crowds: “This is a symbolic gesture to remind us of our grandfathers, our great-grandfathers and our fathers who walked on this soil 100 years ago.

“When we mix this soil once again with the ground here in Bolton, we will have brought them home.”

The hour-long Christian service was led by the Vicar of Bolton Reverend Matt Thompson from the steps of the Town Hall.

Maroons were fired from the top of the historic building to start and end a two minute silence at 11am, and hymns and prayers were said both for those who had died and those currently serving in conflicts across the world.

Dignitaries attending the service included Lord Lieutenant of Manchester Warren Smith and Greater Manchester Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Lloyd, who laid a wreath at the Victoria Square.

Mr Lloyd said: “Remembrance Day is a time for communities across Greater Manchester to come together, reflect on the past and the present, and pay our respects to the men and women who sacrificed so much for our liberty and freedom.”

More than 20 wreaths were laid by a host of Bolton armed forces organisations, as well as representatives from the police, fire, St John’s Ambulance and Bolton Lads and Girls Club.

Bolton Wanderers Community Trust took part in the Remembrance Day service for the first time ever.

Phil Mason, club chaplain and head of the Trust, said they were honoured to be invited to join the commemorations.

He said: “There were many members of the team who were in the Armed Forces.

“Before the outbreak of World War Two captain Henry Goslin stood in front of a crowd of 33,000 at Burnden Park and asked the team to join up – and after the match they all did.

“They served everyone – some came back, but many didn’t.

“Through the Community Trust we are now going to be going into schools to increase their awareness of war, the sacrifice of people from their own town and also to talk about peace.”

Former Wanderers player Tony Kelly said he was “humbled” by the experience.

He said: “My grandfather served in World War One. I never met him, but I remember my mother telling me stories about him – he caught TB during the war.

“It is just an honour to be here, and it is one of the greatest honour I have been ever asked to do.”

Following the service veterans and armed forces associations with standard bearers marched across Victoria Square to continuous applause from bystanders.

David Crausby, MP for Bolton North East which includes the town centre, paid tribute to everyone who took part in the service.

His father, Thomas Crausby, took part in the Allied invasion of Nazi-occupied France on D-Day, June 6, 1941, being injured the following day.

Mr Crausby said: “I’m delighted to be here. There was a great turnout from the public of Bolton, and it’s good to see the young people, the scouts and guides and cadets, involved in it.

“Long may this tradition continue.”

Astley Bridge councillor John Walsh, who helped coordinate the event, said he was very pleased to see the service so well supported by the residents of Bolton.

He said: “It is wonderful that in this centenary year, people have taken Remembrance Sunday to heart.

“it is also good to see so many young people about, both taking part in the commemoration and watching it, and I think that is really important that they are given the opportunity to learn about the war.

“People are a lot more aware now as TV has brought the reality of war into sharp focus — and the significance of that sacrifice made by those who have served.”

Armistice Day will be commemorated on Tuesday, November 11 with a second service in Victoria Square and a two-minute silence marked by the firings of maroons.