To mark Remembrance Sunday, we are taking a look back at war memorials and Armistice Day services throughout the years and across Havering.
Starting with the celebrations and thanksgiving for the Armistice announcement on November 11, 1918, these photos show the unveiling of war memorials in the years after.
A Romford Remembrance service in the 1960s and the setting up of a dedicated memorial in a Havering village are just a few examples of the community coming together to remember all those who gave their lives in service.
Photos of war memorials and Remembrance Day in Havering
Armistice in Market Place, Romford - November 1918
On November 11, 1918, Romford marked the Armistice with sirens, flags, and cheering as crowds gathered in the streets to celebrate peace.
Despite the rain, a large thanksgiving meeting took place on Market Plain, Havering Libraries said, followed by special services at St Edward’s Church, where hymns and prayers expressed both joy for the war’s end and sorrow for lives lost.
This photo shows St Edward's Church, in Market Place, with a small group of soldiers in front, and was taken on Armistice Day according to Havering Libraries.
READ MORE: Romford in the Victorian era captured in 'rare' photos
Noak Hill Victory Hut opening - July 1919
As well as Romford's main civic war memorials, smaller memorials were dedicated throughout the area, including the Noak Hill Victory Hut, which honoured residents of the village who served or died in the First World War.
This photo shows the Victory Hut opening ceremony on July 24, 1919 - a day of celebration led by Lady Dorina Neave, featuring a fete, sports, and the annual flower show.
Though destroyed by a V2 rocket in 1945, the Victory Hut was rebuilt, and Lady Neave returned in 1949 to repeat the original dedication ceremony.
Unveiling of Rainham War Memorial - November 1920
The Rainham War Memorial was the first of four town memorials to be unveiled in Havering after the First World War, according to Havering Libraries.
A large crowd gathered for the unveiling of the war memorial clock tower on November 7, 1920, which honours 61 Rainham men who lost their lives in the conflict.
Designed by H.A. Porter, and built with funds raised by residents, the clock tower stands prominently with inscriptions on two tablets of the names of the men.
Upminster War Memorial unveiling and dedication - May 1921
This photo shows the unveiling of the Upminster War Memorial - with a Celtic cross and large stone base - on May 8, 1921.
Designed by Mr. C. Harrap, it features the named 66 parishioners who lost their lives in service.
A large crowd, including Upminster officials, scouts, ex-servicemen, and families of the fallen, attended the unveiling ceremony, which featured prayers, hymns, and flowers placed by relatives at the monument's base.
READ MORE: Romford town centre in the 1960s captured in vintage photos
Remembrance service, Laurie Square, Romford - c.1967
This photo shows the Remembrance service at Romford War Memorial, in Laurie Square, in the late 1960s.
This was one of the last services to take place here, as it was moved to Coronation Gardens due to the construction of the ring road - with this new location decided in 1966.
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