Gallery: Remembrance day in Dunmow

A SOMBRE atmosphere surrounded Dunmow s High Street on Sunday morning as moving tributes were paid to the town s war heroes. Veterans, army cadets, civic dignitaries, scouts and around 200 members of public turned out for Remembrance Sunday to observe a t

A SOMBRE atmosphere surrounded Dunmow's High Street on Sunday morning as moving tributes were paid to the town's war heroes.

Veterans, army cadets, civic dignitaries, scouts and around 200 members of public turned out for Remembrance Sunday to observe a two minutes silence at 11am.

Town vicar Rev David Ainge led the ceremony and paid tribute to those who lost their lives during war time.

He said: "We had a very good turn out which was nice to see. It is important that we all pay our respects to those men and women who gave so much."

Amongst the veterans, Nobby Clark and Wilf Davey were led by Margaret Cole, chairman of the Dunmow branch of the Royal British Legion, as they raised and lowered the banners around the war memorial at the bottom of New Street.

Ms Cole said: "It was a nice ceremony and we all feel very humble and grateful to those who lost their lives during times of war. Without the bravery of such men and women we could not have the freedom we have today."

Poppy wreaths were laid to rest on the base of the cenotaph by all of the groups represented, before a lone trumpeter signalled the start and end of the two minutes' silence.

Unfortunately the half hour ceremony was too long for two young army cadets who fainted after standing rigidly for so long.

Army cadet leader Lieutenant Joanna Brookes said: "It is not uncommon for younger cadets to collapse like that, because to stand so rigidly to attention for so long can be very difficult for anyone not used to it. This was their first ceremony and I am happy to say that they were both fine afterwards.