We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Excerpt from In Flanders Fields by John McCrae

By Rebecca Belt

FROM the poem, In Flanders Fields, to a keynote address about a grandfather's service, and antic, in Japan in World War II, Tamworth's Remembrance Day service paid tribute to those who served, both then and now.

The service at the war memorial town hall opened with St Edward's Primary School student, Taylro Gambrill reciting In Flanders Fields, setting the scene for a sombre commemoration.

Keeping with the theme of school involvement, Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School student George Gardiner delivered the keynote address.

He spoke of his grandfather's time in World War II when he served in Hiroshima shortly after the atomic bomb was dropped. George said his grandfather spoke to him of his time in Japan and retold the story of his grandfather and mates commandeering a local train to see the city sights with the military police in hot pursuit, but they didn't get caught.

The Year 12 student said Remembrance Day was to mourn and recognise those who have died and fought in all wars.

George spoke about the truce of Christmas 1914 and asked the audience how could such violence be turned off and then turned on again.

With young people embracing commemoration services like Anzac and Remembrance days, George said he believed the traditions of the services would continue, but said humanity must find a better way to resolve conflicts than war.

"We will and always will remember them," he said.

Adding to the student involvement, Oxley Vale Public School choir sang Let's Not Forget.

Tamworth RSL Sub-branch secretary Jayne McCarthy said we must teach children to remember and never forget.

Mrs McCarthy said she was pleased with the attendance.

"It's important that people attend because we only do this twice a year (with Anzac Day)," she said.

"It has to be marked and we don't do it often enough in my opinion."

Ex-service and service organisations, community groups and schools laid wreaths in remembrance and any left in the town hall were placed around the city's various war memorials.