MORE than 1,000 people gathered together to remember fallen soldiers on a very special anniversary.

Canvey’s Remembrance Day parade saw organisations meet at the Air Cadet Centre in Clifton Road and parade down to the war memorial at the Paddocks for a service at 11am when the Last Post was played before a two-minute silence.

About 64 wreaths were also laid by schoolchildren and dignitaries, including Canvey’s mayor Barry Campagna.

Those involved in the parade included the coastguard, Army cadets and RAF and the Canvey Island Sea Scouts.

The parade was led by the ATC Band from Canvey.

The march ended at the Paddocks where a special service was held.

The service was led by Rev Canon David Tudor.

The Rev Marion Walford said: “It was a very moving day. I think because it’s 100 years since the end of the First World War, it has really spoken to people and they felt they had to pay their respects.

“There were families there with four generations young to old which was lovely to see.

“The people of Canvey really did the right thing to honour those who lost their lives and especially the 47 from Canvey who went to war and never came back.”

Second World War veteran Richard Donovan, who served in Europe and the Middle East after joining up when he was 18 in 1942, was among the congregation.

Services also took place across the Castle Point district with parades in Thundersley and South Benfleet.