A POIGNANT Remembrance Sunday parade in Colchester saw war veterans and Scouts honour the dead of the First World War and all conflicts since.

A two minute’s silence was held at 11am at the war memorial in Cowdray Crescent, signalled by the firing of a light gun in Castle Park.

Hundreds of members of the public, Colchester mayor John Elliott, council members and aldermen gathered to pay their respects.

Ashton Sexton-Farquhar, four, of Shrub End, Colchester, laid a wreath in memory of his dad, Shaun Sexton, a former Para who died in Afghanistan while working as a security guard.

after the ceremony, the military band led soldiers and veterans back foramayoral reception in the Moot Hall.

Colin Sisson, chairman of the Colchester Royal British Legion, said: “There were between 2,500 and 3,000 people, the best ever attendance.

“We had Guides, Scouts, Brownies, pupils from Montgomery Junior School, Army and Sea Cadets. The number of veterans is getting fewer each year, but we are getting more and more youngsters.”