Poignant silence descended on Saffron Walden on Remembrance Sunday as veterans and servicemen remembered fallen comrades.

Wreaths were laid on the War Memorial in respect and a two-minute silence was held to commemorate 70 years since the end of the Second World War and 75 years after the Battle of Britain.

After the silence, a parade was led by former Lancaster rear gunner Ron Liversage and John Craig, who was in the Royal Navy during the Second World War.

They held hands in support as the parade marched to St Mary’s Church for a Remembrance service.

Mr Liversage flew from RAF Debden and was on Malta during the seige as well as taking part in the Mercy Food Drop over Holland.

Mr Craig wore a white beret for the service as he was on the Arctic convoys. He was also involved in the D-Day landings and was washed up on Utah or Omaha beach as the only survivor from his ship. He was rescued by the Americans and work up in Plymouth Hospital 12 days later.

He laid a wreath with the words: “To all my shipmates who never made it back with the tide. Never forgotten.”

At IWM Duxford, a de Havilland Dragon Rapide dropped poppies across the museum after a Service of Remembrance, which was led by reverend Phil Sharkey, associate priest for Duxford, Hinxton and Ickleton.

Wreaths were laid by IWM Duxford, the Old Dux Association, Duxford Aviation Society, Friends of Duxford, Airborne Assault, Catalina Society, The Royal Anglian Regiment, The Royal Anglian Regiment Association Cambridgeshire, The Burma Star Association, 48th Fighter Wing of RAF Lakenheath, The Royal British Legion, The Royal British Legion Riders’ Branch, 2461 Sawston Squadron ATC and the Malaya Veterans Group.

A two-minute silence ended with a whistle blast – the signal for soldiers to go over the top of trenches in the First World War.