Armistice Day: South East stops to pay respects

Armistice Day has been marked across the south east of England with events, services and wreath-laying ceremonies on Saturday.

A two-minute silence is held every year at 11:00 GMT on 11 November to mark the end of World War One.

Events have taken place across towns and villages across Kent, Sussex and Surrey.

Further events are scheduled tomorrow to mark Remembrance Day.

People have gathered across Ashford, Folkestone, Brighton, Hove, Lewes and Woking among many others to pay respects.

In Guildford, crowds gathered under the historic clock at Guildhall to observe the silence.

In Arlington, a village in East Sussex, a service was held for an 18-year-old soldier, Pte Jesse Levett, who died in World War One.

His descendants gathered to pay tribute and were presented with a replica set of medals which Pte Levett won but never got to wear. A wreath was also laid on his family grave.

4,500 men of the Royal Sussex Regiment, took part in the Battle of The Boar's Head at Richebourg, France on 30 June 1916, including Jesse Levett.

That day became known as 'The Day Sussex Died', because three Battalions of the Sussex Regiment had over 1,300 men killed, wounded or captured.

In a post to X, formerly known as Twitter, Leeds Castle, near Maidstone, said: "On the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month, we will remember them.

"Their sacrifice will never be forgotten."

Mayor of Runnymede, Shannon Saise-Marshall attended the war memorial in Chertsey for the Act of Remembrance and a wreath laying ceremony.

In Lewes, Sussex Police laid wreaths and held a service "in memory of all who have died in conflict in service of sovereign and country".

In a post to Facebook, the force said: "On Armistice Day, we honour the service and sacrifice that the Armed Forces have made on our behalf to preserve our freedoms."

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