Remembrance Day 2017: Romford falls silent to honour heroes

Hundreds gathered around the Cenotaph in Romford this morning, Sunday, November 12, to pay their respects to the fallen service men and women who fought for their country.

The Royal British Legion Band and Corps of Drums Romford led the parade throughout the town centre until they reached Coronation Gardens by Havering Town Hall.

Despite the cold blustery winds, residents, police, cadets as well as Romford MP Andrew Rosindell and the mayor of Havering Councillor Linda Van den Hende, all gathered for the poignant ceremony.

Rev Mike Power CF, the vicar at St Edward the Confessor church in Market Place, Romford, started off the service with readings from the Bible and prayed for those who lost their lives and for those men and women who are serving in the armed forces today.

He said: “We pray for all who in bereavement, disability and pain continue to suffer the consequences of fighting and terror.

“We remember with thanksgiving and sorrow those whose lives, in world wars and conflicts past and present, have been given and taken away.”

The crowd sang hymns and prayed before members of the Royal British Legion Band and Corps of Drums Romford played the Last Post to signal the start of the two-minute silence.

At the end of the service, Rev Power said: “God grant to the living grace, to the departed rest, to the church, the Queen, the Commonwealth and all people unity, peace and concord, and to us and all God’s servants, life everlasting.

“The blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit be with you and remain with you always.”