TIME stood still in the Borders this week as the region stopped to remember those who have their lives for their country dyring conflicts around the globe.

This year’s ceremonies took on added significance on the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of World War One.

In Peebles, a crowd numbering in its hundreds turned out to show their respect at a special service at the Quadrangle war memorial on Sunday.

Peebles High School Head Girl Charlotte Bryce read the Sermon on the Mount from Matthew 5:1-12 and Head Boy Callum Forman read 'To Germany’, a poem published posthumously by war poet Charles Hamilton Sorely who was shot by a sniper in 1915.

Reverend Ian Gray, of Peebles Baptist Church, called for reconciliation between all nations so that people might live in freedon, justice and peace.

Julie Lang, the widow of a navy submariner who served for 32 years, travelled specially to Peebles from Argyll and Bute.

Mrs Lang said: “This is the second year I have come to the Remembrance service in Peebles, it is lovely because it is enclosed, peaceful and focused.” Among serving soldiers present at the memorial was Lance Corporal Sean Boyle, formerly of 1 Scots and now with 6 Scots Army Reserves. He said: “Twelve years ago I had the privilege of burying the remains of five World War One soldiers who had been found and identified as being Royal Scots, one of their son’s was present and seeing him bury his dad is a memory that will remain with me forever.” Organisations and individual’s laying wreaths included the Lord-Lieutenant of Tweeddale Sir Hew Strachan; Tweeddale MP David Mundell; the House of Lords; Scottish Borders Council; 45 Commando, Royal Marines; The Royal Scots Borderers 1st Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland; 52nd Lowland, 6th Battalion; Royal Air Forces Association; Peebles branch of the Royal British Legion; Peebles Ex-Servicemen’s Federation; British Red Cross; Peebles Burgh Silver Band; Peebles Ex-Servicemen’s Pipe band; Royal Burgh of Peebles Callants’ Club; Peebles Rotary Club; Lodge Peebles Kilwinning No.24; Peebles Bowling Club; Lothian and Borders Battalion - Army Cadet Force; Peebles Girl Guides; 1st Tweeddale Scouts (Peebles) and Peebles High School.

At the entrance to the Quadrangle Gerry Kelly, aged 61, helped man the Solders, Sailors and Airforce Families Association (SSAFA) stand collecting for the charity.

Mr Kelly, a former Commando from Peebles, said: “SSAFA was there at the start of the World War One conflict, it is the oldest military charity and was founded in 1885. Every year I go to the World War One battlefields of Northern France, as there’s no-one living with memory of that war, it is so important that people remember what took place.” The history is more recent for 41-year-old Sergeant Marc Hutton, of 6 Scots, who served as a regular soldier for 18 years, with nine tours of duty including two in both Iraq and Afghanistan.

Sgt Hutton said: “I have lost six good pals and this year is also very poignant because of the anniversary of World War One.” Phineas Sloan, 79, and Billy Walker, 66, represented Peebles Royal British Legion at the service.

Mr Walker said: “Serving in the Armed Forces was a tradition in mine and my wife’s family, her uncle died in HMS Dunedin in 1944 and is remembered today.” Meanwhile, on Tuesday - Armistice Day - around 50 members of the public joined The Royal British Legion Scotland, Peebles Branch for a short service at the War Memorial.

Led by our Padre the Reverend Nancy Norman the two minutes silence was observed.