A COMMEMERATION service was held in Colchester to mark the 80th anniversary of a “pivotal” Second World War operation and the soldiers who died during it.

Military personnel, youngsters, Colchester’s mayor, members of the public and more attended the city’s War Memorial, on Tuesday, to remember the battle of Arnhem.

The Battle of Arnhem was part of Operation Market Garden, an allied effort to capture key bridges in the Netherlands to cross the River Rhine.

Operation Market Garden began on September 17 and last until September 25, 1944, and it was all in an effort to help Allied forces advance into Northern Germany.

Colchester war memorial - wreaths and flowers including traditional Sunflowers at the end of the serviceColchester war memorial - wreaths and flowers including traditional Sunflowers at the end of the service (Image: Adrian Rushton/Colchester Life In Photographs) Sadly, the battle of Arnhem was not successful, and the Nazi forces won the conflict.

About 35,000 parachute and glider soldiers were involved in the operation, and many did not survive.

At 12.30pm, the memorial started and Reverend Gavin Smith senior chaplain at the 16 Air Assault Brigade, and Reverend Anthony Bushell, the mayor’s chaplain, opened the 25-minute service.

Bombardier Eliot Owen and St Johns Green School pupil Awana Chikomba read the story of trooper William Edmon who was killed on September 17, and Willemien Rieken, a Dutch woman who tended his grave in Oosterbeek Cemetery for more than 75 years.

During the ceremony, a sergeant Claire Howard from the British Army Band Colchester performed The Last Post and Reveille.

Reading - Awana Chikomba from St Johns Green School and Bombardier Eliot Owen read the story of Trooper William Edmond who was killed on 17th September 1944 and Willemien ReikenReading - Awana Chikomba from St Johns Green School and Bombardier Eliot Owen (Image: Adrian Rushton/Colchester Life In Photographs) It was then followed by a two-minute silence, the Kohima Epitaph, wreaths and flowers being laid, and more.

To honour the event, the Dutch flag and Pegasus, the emblem of airborne forces, will fly from Colchester Town Hall until September 25, symbolising the nine days of intense fighting 80 years ago.

Speaking after the service, city mayor Lesley Scott-Boutell said: “We came together with visiting members of the Dutch and Polish military to honour the extraordinary bravery and sacrifice of the soldiers who fought in the Battle of Arnhem.

“Operation Market Garden was a pivotal moment in the Second World War, and the losses suffered by the British 1st Airborne Division were immense.

Paying tribute - Mayor Paying tribute - Mayor Scott-Boutell (Image: Adrian Rushton/Colchester Life In Photographs)“Yet, their courage and determination continue to inspire us today.

"Our city has a deep-rooted connection with the British Army’s airborne forces, and it’s fitting that we commemorate the 80th anniversary of this decisive event.

“I’m grateful for the public’s turnout and the continued support from our local garrison. As we remember their legacy, let us also reaffirm our commitment to peace and the enduring values they fought for.”

You can view more photos from the ceremony below.

Performing - Sgt Claire Howard from the British Army Band Colchester blew The Last Post and ReveillePerforming - Sgt Claire Howard from the British Army Band Colchester blew The Last Post and Reveille (Image: Adrian Rushton/Colchester Life In Photographs) Proud - soldiers next to the war memorialProud - soldiers next to the war memorial (Image: Adrian Rushton/Colchester Life In Photographs) Giving thanks - more school children laying sunflowers and wreathsGiving thanks - more school children laying sunflowers and wreaths (Image: Adrian Rushton/Colchester Life In Photographs) Remembering - another photo from the memorialRemembering - another photo from the memorial (Image: Adrian Rushton/Colchester Life In Photographs) Group - more school pupils adding sunflowers to the memorialGroup - more school pupils adding sunflowers to the memorial (Image: Adrian Rushton/Colchester Life In Photographs) On the day - school pupils with their sunflowersOn the day - school pupils with their sunflowers (Image: Adrian Rushton/Colchester Life In Photographs)