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Medway Remembrance Day marks 74 years since the end of the Second World War

Hundreds of people flocked to the streets of Medway this morning to remember those who have given their lives in war.

Former servicemen and women were joined by current members of the armed forces as they marched through Chatham High Street.

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Local MP, councillors and other dignatories pay their respects during a Chatham Remembrance Service held at Victoria Gardens. From left to right: Dep Lt of Kent Peter Gilbert, Tracey Crouch MP, Cllr Vince Maple and Cllr Siju Adeoye. Picture: Sean Aidan (21302951)
Local MP, councillors and other dignatories pay their respects during a Chatham Remembrance Service held at Victoria Gardens. From left to right: Dep Lt of Kent Peter Gilbert, Tracey Crouch MP, Cllr Vince Maple and Cllr Siju Adeoye. Picture: Sean Aidan (21302951)

Crowds watched as they made their way to Victoria Gardens for a memorial service held at Fort Pitt Hill.

Civilian groups were also represented with members of the Scouts and other youth groups, veterans associations and dignitaries taking part in the commemorations.

Reverend James Langstaff, addressed the crowds who gathered on the hillside and bandstand.

He reflected on a recent pilgrimage to a war memorial in Pescara, Italy and how his father could easily been among the dead.

Veterans were joined by current servicemen and women and youth organisations in leading the tributes at the Chatham Remembrance Service. Picture: Sean Aidan (21302927)
Veterans were joined by current servicemen and women and youth organisations in leading the tributes at the Chatham Remembrance Service. Picture: Sean Aidan (21302927)

The Lord Bishop of Rochester spoke of the "fragility of life" and called for a moment of reflection.

Speaking after the minute's silence, Reverend Carol Morgan, of St Mary and St John in Chatham said she found the service "immensely moving".

The priest said the memorial had drawn people of different religions and it was touching to see young people laying wreathes.

"It affected people of all faiths so its nice to have everyone come together," she said.

She took the minute silence to reflect on her own family's experiences of the war.

"I had one grandfather who was a Japanese prisoner of war and later suffered from post-traumatic stress," she said. "And another who was based here in Chatham so it is quite personal for me."

Also in attendance was pensioner, Ian Burt from Chatham who has been attending the service for the last 35 years.

He reflected on the loss of his uncle Jack who served in the RAF during the Second World War.

"My personal memory is its 75 years since my uncle was killed in an air crash," he said.

"He was just 22 years old, in the RAF voluntary service when the engine froze and the plane crashed."

The 71 year-old said he had been researching his uncle's history and only found out last year there were three survivors of the crash who had jumped from the plane.

He said it was harrowing to learn they had escaped while others, including his uncle, were "trapped" and perished on board, just one year before the end of the war.

Scouts marched through the town centre and laid wreathes at the Chatham Remembrance Service. Picture: Sean Aidan (21302963)
Scouts marched through the town centre and laid wreathes at the Chatham Remembrance Service. Picture: Sean Aidan (21302963)

Elsewhere there was also a memorial held at the top of Mill Lane outside Medway Park.

The parade started at 10.30am which set off from Blue Boar Lane, passing the War Memorial before arriving at Rochester Cathedral, ready for the service at 11am.

An earlier service took place at St Margaret's Church in Rainham at 10.15am.

There were also some heartfelt tributes from local businesses, including A2 Barbers in Gillingham which created a waterfall of poppies to sit in its store window.

A Dakota and two Spitfires heading to the White Cliffs to drop 750,000 paper poppies flew over the Towns en route to the Battle of Britain Memorial in Capel-le-Ferne.

Chatham veteran Steve Craddock was one of five former servicemen on board the Second World War Dakota aircraft, which flew during the D-Day landings in Normandy in 1944.

Southeastern will be offering free travel on all of its services today for serving troops, veterans and cadets.

The spitfires flew over Chatham on their way to Dover. Photo: Hazel Cox (21300581)
The spitfires flew over Chatham on their way to Dover. Photo: Hazel Cox (21300581)
The spitfires flew over Chatham on their way to Dover. Photo: Hazel Cox (21300583)
The spitfires flew over Chatham on their way to Dover. Photo: Hazel Cox (21300583)

To read about the Armed Forces and how they have served Kent and beyond, click here.

Read more: Kent Remembers with several events taking place across the county today

Read more: All the latest news from Medway

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