The ribbon was cut on the new £100,000 exhibition, honouring 300 years of the famous Duke of Wellington's Regiment, at Bankfield Museum, Boothtown.

And with the opening chosen for Armistice Day, the audience, including former and serving Dukes, Army and civil dignitaries and museum staff who have spent years building the displays, stood with their heads bowed in remembrance of our fallen heroes.

Major David Harrap, of the Dukes, now the 3rd Battalion (Duke of Wellington's) The Yorkshire Regiment, said: "It is a phenomenal exhibition and everybody has done a tremendous job putting it together.

"There is a tremendous attachment between the regiment and the town and we are honouring that through the soldiers who served in it."

The opening ceremony saw a parade of soldiers from Redcoats in the Battle of Waterloo, to those currently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Among the tributes was a letter written by First World War soldier Frank Cocker, of Brighouse, and a touching rendition of The Last Post.

One guest of honour was 87-year-old Walter Downs, who served in the Dukes during the Normandy Landings in 1944.

"It was hell out there," he said. "And I will never forget it, but the bravery of my fellow soldiers means the regiment has a very special place in my heart.

"It makes me very proud to be here today and it is very moving to know we will be honoured in this way."

The Lord Lieutenant of Yorkshire, Dr Ingrid Roscoe, also paid tribute to the regiment, saying: "It is wonderful to think of the association between Halifax and the Dukes. They have been recruiting in this area for 300 years and the town is very much their home".

The exhibition, called Forgotten Voices Through Soldiers' Eyes, tells the history of the regiment from 1702 until present day.

Among the displays are recordings of soldier's diaries, uniforms, weapons and a collection given by the Duke of Wellington himself.

Bankfield Museum was declared the regimental museum of the Dukes in 1959 and the funding for the current exhibition was provided by two National Lottery grants.

The displays are free and open between 10am and 4.30pm from Tuesday to Saturday and 1pm to 3.30pm on Sunday.