A cold winter mist couldn’t stop more than 200 people turning out to Romford Market on Friday to help mark Remembrance Day.

With the bells from nearby St Edward’s Church ringing, young and old gathered for a one minute silence in honour of those who died serving our country.

In his first Remembrance Day service since taking over as vicar of St Edwards Church in February, Father David Anderson helped open and close the event with a short prayer urging us to honour those who have fallen in our name. He was joined by Havering mayor Cllr Melvin Wallace, mayoress Joan Wallace, Romford Royal British Legion President Arthur Twell, local councillors and dozens of ex-servicemen proudly displaying their medals.

Mr Twell joined the Royal Navy at just 16-year-old and served for 11 years, including in the Battle of the Atlantic. He told the Recorder: “Remembrance Day brings back lots of memories of the people who didn’t came back. It’s important for the young people of our country to remember those who paid the supreme sacrifice.”

Havering Mayor Cllr Melvin Wallace added: “It’s vitally important to cherish their memory and to raise funds for our servicemen and their widows.”

Heaton Ward councillor Denis O’Flynn donned his Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers cap and medals for the service, telling the Recorder: “It’s one of our small ways of paying tribute to all those who made a sacrifice in the interests of our freedom.”