SLIDESHOW: Community comes together to remember First World War heroes

Prayers were said as white and pink carnations were laid, in a mark of respect, at St Helen’s Church, Hemsworth.

And there was a reading of the roll of honour of more than 170 of the men from the Hemsworth area who were killed in the 1914-18 war.

Serving soldiers then led a parade – which included councillors, representatives from the Royal British Legion and the Mayor of Wakefield, Coun Sandra Pickin, who is Wakefield Council’s armed forces champion – to the town’s war memorial.

Father Robert Hart, from St Helen’s, blessed an obelisk, donated to the legion by Hemsworth Town Council to remember the fallen service men and women.

The commemoration ended with a display of memorabilia and photographs at the nearby Hemsworth Town Council Community Centre.

Tina Pattison, town clerk, said: “It was a beautiful service with a good turnout. We couldn’t have asked for more.

“The council had paid for an obelisk and donated it to the Royal British Legion and this was blessed by Father Hart.

“Everyone then went back to the community centre for a buffet and there was an exhibition of memorabilia, photographs and artefacts.

“It was lovely and there was quite a lot of interesting memorabilia. The concert was also was very well attended and it was a fantastic evening.”

The town council also organised a free concert at the Bullenshaw Road centre last Friday, when West Yorkshire Police Band performed music from the war era.