A two-minute hush fell over Porthleven this morning to remember on Armistice Day those residents who have lost their lives in service to their country.

In scenes replicated all over the country, the Union Flag was lowered at the port’s war memorial as a group of around 20 residents, town councillors and mayor Andrew Wallis bowed their heads in silence.

This year’s brief service was taken by Elsie Balme of Porthleven Methodist Chapel, who told those assembled: “We are not here to glorify war but to honour those residents of Porthleven who gave their lives.”

In particular this year, the soldiers of the First World War were remembered as the centenary commemorations of the conflict near their end.

Mrs Balme spoke of the “young boys” had played in Porthleven’s streets, swam on its beach and then went away, never to return.

A similar tribute was played out at Helston’s Garden of Remembrance, in front of the Grylls Monument, where town mayor Gillian Geer was joined by other councillors and residents to observe a two-minute silence.

Tomorrow, both towns will host larger Remembrance Sunday parades and hold services in their parish churches.

In Helston the parade will gather in the Trengrouse Way car park to march through the town at 2.30pm for a short service at St Michael's Church, followed by a wreath laying at the war memorial. The parade will then continue on to the Garden of Remembrance, where more wreaths will be laid.

In Porthleven councillors will meet at the Public Hall at 2pm to march to St Bartholomew's Church for a service.

Other ceremonies will take place all over the Lizard Peninsula, including at St Keverne where the parish council and other organisations will gather at the statute at the top of the village to march to the war memorial for 11am.