The blood red poppy wreaths against the pale stone memorial were a stark reminder of lives lost.

Around 3,000 people witnessed the scene at Leicester's annual Remembrance Sunday parade and memorial service at Victoria Park yesterday. A touching service was held at the war memorial before a march-past took place along nearby Peace Walk.

During the two-minute silence, some veterans bowed their heads to discreetly wipe tears from their eyes.

The maroon, which sounded to signal the end of the silence, reverberated along the branches of the trees.

As well as remembering those who died in the first and second world wars, the coffins returning in planes from Afghanistan were at the forefront of everyone's minds.

One of the men standing to attention as the Last Post played out was Sergeant Richard Doherty, who serves with the 9/12 Lancers, which recruit heavily from the county.

The 29-year-old from Lutterworth has seen tours of duty in Kosovo and Iraq.

He said: "When I grew up as a child, Remembrance Day was always about the two world wars.

"Now, particularly for myself and my wife, it's about friends who have passed away while in operation.

"Guys we went to school with have come back in coffins and that's what we remember." In his address, Bishop of Leicester the Rt Rev Tim Stevens, said: "More than any in recent memory, the focus of our remembering today is on the grief of so many, as well as our historical memories.

"To date 94 British lives have been lost in Afghanistan so far this year, and eight most tragically in the last week.

"We stand in silence today in humble solidarity with so many parents, partners and children who bear the unspeakable weight of loss."

Since his address, at least two soldiers more have fallen in Afghanistan, taking the death toll even higher.

Noel and John Robinson both served during the 1950s with the 17/21 Lancers – now the Queens Royal Lancers – as did their brother Brian.

Noel, 70, of New Parks, Leicester, said: "The Queens Royal Lancers are going back to Afghanistan early next year. We come every year to this but it's getting bigger and bigger – I'm sure people are thinking about what's going on in the world."