The country will fall silent at 11am as we join together in a collective act of remembrance to remember those fallen heroes who died for their nation.

It is the first time in two years that Remembrance Sunday services and parades will go ahead following the pandemic.

On Remembrance Sunday itself, two of the biggest parades as usual will be held in Southend and Pitsea.

As is tradition, parades, wreath-laying and services will attract crowds of poppy-wearing members of the public and feature input from youth groups such as Scouts, Brownies and Cadets.

This year’s Remembrance Sunday will also remember MP Sir David Amess who was killed carrying out his duties at a constituency surgery in Leigh.

No parade in Rayleigh this year. There will be combined outdoor service and wreath laying outside the Royal British Legion Memorial Hall at 10.30am on Sunday.

Remembrance Sunday: Southend

In Southend on Sunday events will centre around the Cenotaph in Clifftown Parade.

At 10.15am, a parade will assemble in Prittlewell Square leading to the Cenotaph.

At 11am, the chimes of Big Ben will commence the service, followed by a bugler sounding ‘The Last Post’ and then there will be two minutes’ silence.

Southend mayor, Margaret Borton will then lay a wreath at the Cenotaph, followed by other dignitaries.

The Cross of Remembrance will then be placed on behalf of war widows, alongside wreaths laid by emergency services and faith community representatives.

The Mayor’s Chaplain, the Rev Paul Mackay and the Bishop of Chelmsford, the Rt Rev Bishop Guli Francis-Dehqani, will lead the service, during which the Veterans’ Associations will lay wreaths. Hymns and other musical contributions during the event will be played by Southend Citadel Band of the Salvation Army.

This year will be all the more emotional as it will be the first Remembrance Parade to be held since the death of Southend MP Sir David Amess.

Mrs Borton added: “The Remembrance Sunday Service is humbling and extremely important.

“It is when we gather to publicly honour and pay tribute to all those brave men and women who gave their lives in the World Wars and other conflicts since.

“The service will also be more poignant as we remember Sir David Amess at the service.

“We hope many will join us for the commemoration ceremony so we can collectively salute the heroism of those who have made the supreme sacrifice.”

Residents are being forewarned a number of road closures will be in place around the Cenotaph while the service takes place.

In Leigh, the Royal British Legion Service of Remembrance will take place at St Clement’s Church at 3pm on Sunday.

In Shoebury, the Remembrance Sunday parade and service will take place at the war memorial in Campfield Road from 10,45am.

Remembrance Sunday - Castle Point

On Canvey, the mayor, Patricia Haunts and deputy mayor, Jay Blissett will be attending the Royal British Legion Remembrance Service at the Paddocks Community Centre at 10.40am, conducted by the Rev Marion Walford.

The service, like last year, will be held outside in the grounds of the Paddocks, so attendees are advised to wrap up warmly.

After the service there will be the laying of wreaths at the War Memorial.

The civic procession will then parade to the down to the Royal British Legion club in Denham Road.

In South Benfleet there will be a service at St Mary’s Parish Church at 9.45am followed by a gathering at the war memorial at11am for the laying of wreaths.

In Hadleigh, a Royal British Legion Service of Remembrance will be held at St. James’ Parish Church conducted by the Rev Ruth Cartwright.

The service starts at 10.55 am and will end about 11.45 am. Civic representatives will make their own way to the War Memorial for a short service at 12pm and laying of wreaths.

In Thundersley, a service at St Peter’s Church will be held. People can assemble outside on the vicarage green by 10.40am in time for the two minutes silence.

Remembrance Sunday - Basildon

In Wickford a Remembrance parade will make its way to the Wickford War Memorial at Runwell Memorial Park.

The Royal British Legion is hosting the event and MP Mark Francois will be attending. Other events will be held at St Martin’s Square, Basildon, and in High Street, Billericay.

The Pitsea parade will begin at St Gabriel’s Church and will lead to the war memorial in Howards Park. Events will be held in Grays, Orsett and Stanford-le-Hope.