THOUSANDS of residents braved a chilly winter’s morning to pay their respects at Remembrance Sunday services across the borough.

In one of Havering’s biggest ever turnouts, veterans, local dignities, MPs, councillors, Royal British Legion members and marching bands gathered at memorials to honour those who served in war.

Among them was the heart warming sight of many youngsters from local cadet, guide and scout groups.

In Romford, residents marched from the Town Hall to the war memorial in Coronation Gardens.

Havering mayor Cllr Pam Light, who attended the service, said: “It was very impressive to see so many young people. You expect the older generation to turn out but it’s very heart warming to see so many youngsters there as well.

“We had a group of little ones who laid tributes and they were so beautifully behaved.”

Romford MP Andrew Rosindell also attended, telling the Recorder he was incredibly proud of the huge number of young people.

He added: “It was a very moving occasion. Young people obviously won’t remember the wars but they’ve benefitted by the sacrifices made.

“This was my tenth Romford service and I was so pleased to be there. The Royal British Legion band and Salvation Army also did us proud.”

In Upminster, hundreds more marched from the Royal British Legion in St Mary’s Lane to the war memorial at St Laurence Church.

Leader of the Residents’ Association, Cllr Clarence Barrett, attended the service and said: “It was a marvellous turnout, very touching. We had a great turnout from the young people in our community. It was a still winter’s morning and a very touching service.”

A packed Hornchurch service saw the Romford Drum & Trumpet Corps lead a parade to the war memorial outside St Andrew’s Church.

Among those laying wreaths were deputy mayor Cllr Melvin Wallace and Bethnal Green tube disaster survivor Alf Morris.

In Rainham, around 1,000 people marched from the working man’s club in Upminster Road South to the clock tower war memorial.

Leader of the Rainham Independent Local Residents’ Group, Cllr Jeff Tucker, said the streets were jam-packed full of youngsters.

He added: “It was amazing the number of young people from girl guides to cub scouts. It was very encouraging to see. We also had sea cadets there giving their support to the Rainham service. It was very touching.”

Harold Hill also had a huge turnout at the war memorial in Hilldene Avenue.

This year former mayors helped mark each service, with Cllr Denis O’Flynn at Harold Hill, Cllr Wendy Brice-Thompson at Upminster, Cllr Roger Ramsey at Rainham and current mayor Cllr Pam Light at Romford.