Thousands gather across Havering to mark Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day

Thousands of people, among them veterans, volunteers and the families of the fallen, gathered across Havering on Sunday to mark Remembrance Day.

Many of them decorated for their own service, and others wearing medals in memory of family members who had fought for their country, congregations across the borough paid their respects with Church services and parades.

Bearing wreaths, cadets and uniformed groups marched to the borough’s permanent war memorials – some, like the clock tower in Rainham Village, built soon after the First World War, and others, like the boulder in Harold Hill, established more recently.

Havering’s Mayor and Deputy Mayor represented the council in Romford and Hornchurch, while council members gave speeches and laid wreaths throughout Havering.

Mayor Cllr Lynden Thorpe said: “We have a duty to gather together once a year to remember those heroic people who have given up their lives for their country.”

The borough fell silent for two minutes at 11am, and wreaths were placed on the memorials by council officials and community groups such as cubs, beavers, scouts, army cadets and ambulance volunteers.