HUNDREDS of people turned out yesterday to pay their respects at the war memorial in Newcastle town centre.

And the number of poppy-clad young people, both in uniformed groups and in the crowd, showed that recent conflicts were as much on the crowd's mind as the world wars.

As veterans, uniformed groups and the public made their way from Corporation Street to a service at St Giles's Church, one man recalled his war experiences.

Second World War veteran Ernie Morris, aged 94, from Penkhull, served for six years as a radio operator with the 6th Battalion, Black Watch.

Yesterday he was there with his grandson Andy Morris, aged 30, a pay officer on HMS Campbeltown.

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Ernie, whose father Ralph was himself a First World War veteran, fought in North Africa at the beginning of the war before being sent to Italy for the Battle of Monte Cassino.

He said: "It was rough but I think of the good times and forget the others."

Andy, who has served in Sierra Leone, Afghanistan and the Gulf, said: "I am proud to be here supporting my grandad."

Veteran Eric Edwards, aged 84, from Clayton, served with the 2nd Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment in the Second World War.

He fought in Normandy and was temporarily put out of action when a piece of flying shrapnel wounded him.

He said: "I will always remember the comrades that were lost during the battle."

After the service at St Giles's Church, people converged at the cenotaph outside.

Jozias Bailey-Sharam played the last post as the silence was observed and wreathes laid.

Elizabeth Pepper, from Maybank, said: "I thought the parade was very good and well supported, the service at the church was extremely good.

"There are a lot more young people here today. It's sad in a way that they have to be dragged into it but that's war."

Lynn Rowley, aged 60, from Trentham, said: "It was a very touching service especially with what's happening in the world at the moment."

Jon Harrington