WAR veterans and people in the East End came together on Remembrance Sunday to honour those who lost their lives for their country. Ex-soldiers and politicians took part in parades

By Else Kvist

WAR veterans and people in the East End came together on Remembrance Sunday to honour those who gave their lives for the country.

Former soldiers and politicians took part in parades, the laying of wreaths and two minutes silence to remember the sacrifice of the armed forces and civilians since the First World War.

Tower Hamlets Mayor Ahmed Omar attended a ceremony at Tower Hill's Trinity Gardens.

Royal British Legion chair for Bethnal Green, Albert Hutton, was joined by London Assembly member John Biggs and councillors during a ceremony at Bethnal Green Gardens.

The retired engineer helped ferry fallen soldiers back by boats for burial after the D-Day landings during the Second World War.

Poplar's MP Jim Fitzpatrick and his wife Sheila marched with members of the Royal British Legion from St Savior's Hall to the War Memorial in St Leonard's Road. Also marching was Tower Hamlets councillor and Poplar Parliamentary candidate Tim Archer.

A two-minute silence was also given at a War memorial in Cyprus Street, Bethnal Green, which featured on the BBC Inside Out programme last week about how the memorial is looked after by neighbours Ron Sale and Dave Stanley.

A church service at St George-in-the-East church in Shadwell was followed by wreath laying and two-minute silence at the War Memorial.

A service was also held the War Cenotaph in Tower Hamlets Cemetery in Mile End.

Respects were also paid at Christ Church on the Isle of Dogs and at St John-on-Bethnal Green.

It is 91 years since the Armistice brought the First World War to an end in 1918, when the guns fell silent at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.