Southend falls silent on Remembrance Sunday to honour the fallen

Parades and services were held across the county as the country remembered the fallen. 

In Southend hundreds of people turned out at the city’s war memorial.

Parade – cadets march through Southend (Image: Gaz de Vere) Veterans, serving officers, MPs, councillors, cadets, and youngsters laid wreaths, and the crowd observed a two-minute silence at 11am.

Solemn – members of the Scouts pay their respects (Image: Gaz de Vere) Southend mayor Ron Woodley thanked everyone who attended and said the city had done itself proud.

Crowds – hundreds of people turned out for the Remembrance Sunday service (Image: Gaz de Vere) He said: “It’s been an honour to join you all here in Southend to commemorate Remembrance Sunday.

“The Remembrance Sunday parade and service is the most important date in the civic calendar as mayor.

Dignitaries – key figures in the civic life of Southend gather at the memorial (Image: Gaz de Vere) “This poignant and emotional commemorative event pays tribute to the fallen, who gave their today, for our tomorrow.”

He added: “It is an opportunity for us to collectively remember those who gave their lives in the World Wars and other conflicts, whilst reminding us of the horror of the reality of war.

Remembered – a sea of wreaths deck the memorial (Image: Southend Council) “Thank you for coming together and taking time out of your weekend to reflect on what is happening across the world.

Involved – members of the sea cadets march towards the memorial as part of the service (Image: Southend Council) “We owe it to those who have died and made the supreme sacrifice in the service of others.”

“Thank you to you all for your turn out and bearing today.

“It’s been an excellent parade and you have done yourselves and the city of Southend proud.”

Basildon Council leader Gavin Callaghan thanked those who turned out across the borough to remember the fallen. 

It included a service in St Martin’s Square, Basildon, which was attended by Mr Callaghan and Basildon mayor Allan Davies. 

Mr Callaghan said: "It was heartening to see so many people across the borough, coming out to pay their respects on this Remembrance Sunday.

"My thanks to my fellow Labour Councillors for their attendance across all towns of the borough today and for laying wreaths at all war memorials."