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VETERANS and members of the public paid their respects to the fallen from global conflicts on a socially distanced Remembrance Sunday.

From Anglesey to Wrexham, onlookers watched as invited guests laid poppy wreaths at war memorials around North Wales.

But while many citizens stayed away from ceremonies, to comply with coronavirus restrictions banning gatherings of more than 30 people, they still honoured the dead of World War I and World War II and other conflicts by logging on to virtual ceremonies online.

Officials in Caernarfon decided to hold a pre-recorded online Remembrance Sunday service on the internet from 10.50am.

“Having a virtual service wasn’t an easy decision to make,” said Cllr Dawn Jones, a Caernarfon Royal Town Councillor.

“But we did it for the sake of the safety of the people and the ex-service people. Some have medical conditions.

“We did the service online and a few ex-soldiers were on the Maes (in person).

Cllr Jones said it followed meetings between Caernarfon Royal Town Council, Gwynedd County Council, the Royal British Legion and North Wales Police.

On the online recording, Cllr Jones added: “It was very touching and we have had 632 views already which is more visits than we might have had people there in person in a normal year.”

A webcast service was also held in Wrexham.

But invited guests attended a service at the town’s war memorial while observing social distancing.

Cllr David Griffiths, Wrexham’s Armed Forces Champion, said: “I and a few neighbours were on our doorsteps in Bradley to honour the fallen, as many did around the town.”

He added: “It’s been a very strange year. But the most important thing is not actually your physical presence (at a ceremony) it’s that you remember.”

Wrexham County Borough Council leader Cllr Mark Pritchard went to his local service, with just under 30 people in Rhostyllen.

He said: “We normally go to a church and the Memorial Gardens. This year we had our own service, a bugler and the Last Post but no singing.

“We also read out the names of the fallen from this area, as we normally do.”

In Anglesey, Conwy, Denbighshire and Flintshire, there were also only a small number of people invited to official services on Remembrance Sunday in keeping with coronavirus lockdown rules.

MS Jack Sargeant also laid a wreath of poppies at a ceremony in Connah’s Quay.

Meanwhile in Cardiff, a Korean War veteran held his own ceremony on his own street.

William Williams, a veteran of two tours in the Far East, had told his grandson that he would be on parade so asked his family invited friends and others to join him.

Mr Williams of Caerau, donned his suit, medals and bore his Standard to honour his comrades.

His grandson Matthew Williams couldn’t have been prouder.

He said: “We did it for him to show he hasn’t been forgotten.”

First Minister, Mark Drakeford laid a wreath during a service in Cardiff “on behalf of everyone in Wales”.

He said: “The footsteps of serving personnel and veterans marching in unison will not be as loud this year; but Wales will once again be united in its appreciation of the incredible sacrifices, which have been made... At a time when everyone in Wales is being asked to make sacrifices, we remember the generations before us who made their sacrifices for us to live our lives the way we do today.

“We also remember their dedication to the collective cause.

“These are difficult times for us all.”