War heroes commemorated in Hornchurch on Remembrance Day

Havering’s fallen heroes were commemorated as Hornchurch came to a standstill on Sunday.

Veterans and serving armed forces personnel stood shoulder to shoulder with emergency services, cadets, community leaders and residents at the Hornchurch War Memorial on Remembrance Sunday.

Hundreds fell silent for the tow-minute silence followed by many laying poppy wreaths at the memorial.

People lined the streets to watch the Romford Drum and Trumpet Corps parade through the High Street, many clapping proudly and cheering as the corps passed them.

It culminated with a service at the war memorial, outside St Andrew’s Church, led by Rev Barry Robson, followed by a speech by the president of the Hornchurch Royal British Legion, David King.

David, who was made an honorary freeman of the borough, was conscripted to the British Army in 1947 and served with the Royal Electric Engineers in the Army of occupation in Germany.

He said: “Today we pray and assemble to remember and give thanks to the men and women who gave their lives for us. Let us not forget them and all those who came from around the world to defend us.”