People of all ages were united across Thanet in paying their respects to those who have lost their lives in past and present conflicts.

Communities paraded and placed wreaths on Remembrance Sunday to honour those who have died in service, with smaller services on Armistice Day, Monday, November 11.

In Ramsgate, the turnout for the Remembrance Sunday parade was believed to be one of the biggest in recent years, with representatives from every town organisation taking part.

They marched in bright sunshine from Elms Avenue to St George’s Church.

In the parade were standard bearers, Royal British Legion representatives, war veterans and civic dignitaries.

Among them was Mayor of Ramsgate Cllr Ken Gibson and deputy lieutenant for Kent Frank Martin.

Thanet District Council chairman Kay Dark officiated and took the salute and there was a sermon from the vicar, the Rev Peter Adam.

The lessons were read by the mayor and deputy lieutenant.

This was the first year Kent Police had not acted as marshals, a role which was instead undertaken by volunteers, co-ordinated by Ramsgate Town Council working with John Hobday, president of the Ramsgate branch of the Royal British Legion.

Ramsgate town clerk Richard Styles attributed the
large turnout to a constant awareness of the continuing
conflict in Afghanistan and the fact that people were focusing
on the 2014 centenary of the
start of the First World War.

He said: “Veterans of the First World War are no longer with us, those who served in the Second World War are becoming much frailer.

“There is a view that we need to tell the younger generation coming up of the experiences of those who have served.”

Remembrance services had an important role in this and in bringing the poignancy and significance up to date.

Mr Styles said: “The town council would like to thank all the marshals who turned up and stood outside in the cold, ensuring everybody was safe, when they might otherwise have taken part in the parade and service. They are the unsung heroes of the day.”

In Margate the Mayor, Cllr John Edwards, led the parade from the Old Town market place to the war memorial in Trinity Square to lay wreaths.

In Broadstairs, the annual Remembrance Sunday service took place at the war memorial by Pierremont Park, with music from the Broadstairs and St Peter’s Concert Band.

See this week's Thanet Extra for more Remembrance service pictures.