Europe marks Armistice Day with two-minute silence

While the Armistice Day tradition began as a way of commemorating those killed in World War One, it is now used to remember all the people killed in wars since then.

As well as the event in Staffordshire, events taking place across the UK included ones at Bristol, Cambridge, Nottingham, Liverpool, and Dover.

An event was also held at Westminster, attended by Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle.

In Wales, Carmarthenshire County Council said it would illuminate County Hall on Armistice Day evening to “reflect and remember the sacrifices of our armed forces, and all those whose lives have been lost in conflict and acts of terror”.

Over the weekend, Remembrance Sunday events were held across the UK as is traditional every year on the Sunday closest to 11 November.

King Charles led the nation in two minutes of silence in remembrance of men and women who lost their lives serving in the two world wars or other conflicts.

In Belfast, a protest banner was erected outside the office of Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O’Neill following her decision to take part in the city’s Remembrance Day service on Sunday.

She was the first senior Sinn Féin figure to do so and the banner that was later attached to the shutters of her office in Cookstown, County Tyrone, featured the word “traitors” alongside bloody handprints and a poppy.

Asked about the banner, O’Neill said it was “difficult” to hear criticism about her decision to attend the commemoration but she was “committed to being a first minister for all”.

She added that she was unable to attend an Armistice Day event at Stormont later on Monday, but that other Sinn Féin politicians would take part.