THIS sunday, millions of us will fall silent to remember those who gave their lives for their country in conflict.

Remembrance services this year will be more poignant than ever because of the tragic losses suffered by British forces in the past 12 months.

The Royal Anglian Regiment, which recruits from across south Essex, lost nine men in its recent tour of duty of Afghanistan.

Among them was 21 year-old Private John Thrumble, 21, who grew up in Westcliff.

Former servicemen will unite with current soldiers, children from Scouts, Guides, and schools, and people from across the community, to pay their respects to fallen heroes on Sunday.

Private Iain Stevenson, 20, of Shrubbery Close, Laindon, recently returned with the Royal Anglians from Afghanistan, where he spent six months driving the Taleban out of the notorious Helmand Province.

He said: "Most people will see a soldier has died on the news and then it's over for them, but we have to deal with it every day.

"Remembrance services give everyone a chance, to think about solders' sacrifices and pay their respects.

"I lost a friend, in Afghanistan, who I went through training with.

"You can't think about it too much while you're out there. You have to carry on and concentrate on doing your job.

"I've noticed it more since we got back to barracks in England. It's sad when you look around the canteen and see where your mates used to sit, but they aren't there any more."

John Dickson, 77, president of Rayleigh British Legion, said: "We've been thinking about the soldiers fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq, when we've been out selling poppies this year.

"It's been a difficult time for British troops and Remembrance Sunday will be all the more poignant, because of all our lads who have died over the past 12 months."

Ted Jobson, 80, secretary of Pitsea and Vange British Legion, thought the Poppy Appeal had been going particularly well this year.

He said: "We've been overwhelmed sometimes, but it's been nice people have been content to queue to put their money in the box.

"We're very pleased with the number of children, who have come up and paid their pennies too.

"I think that's partly because they have seen our troops fighting on the TV and also schools paying a more attention to past wars."

Southend parade starts from Prittlewell Square

The Southend service at the cenotaph in Westcliff Parade will start at 11am with a parade starting at Prittlewell Square at 10.25am and reaching the cenotaph at 10.45am.

Mayor Daphne White will attend the service and afterwards the parade will march to and disburse in Prittlewell Square.

The Rayleigh parade will march from Websters Way, to Holy Trinity Church, in the High Street, where the service commences at 10.45am. It will be followed by wreath laying at the Memorial Hall in Bellingham Lane.

Leigh Remembrance service will take place at St Clement's Church, in the Broadway, at 3pm.

The Rochford service at 10am at St Andew's Church will be folowed at around 11.30am by a short service of remembrance and wreath laying at the newly renovated war memorial on the corner of East Street and Weir Pond Road.

At Eastwood, there will be a remembrance service at the Memorial Hall, in Rayleigh Road, starting at 2pm.

Castle Point mayor and MP will attend St Mary's church

Castle Point MP Bob Spink and mayor Beverley Egan will attend a remembrance service in St Mary's Church, Benfleet, conducted by Father Lee Bennett, from 9.45am.

The service will finish in time to join youth organisations at the war memorial at 11am for two minutes silence and the laying of wreaths.

The Hadleigh Royal British Legion Service of Remembrance will take place at St James the Less Church, Hadleigh, conducted by the Rev Mike Ketley.

The service starts at 10.55am and finishes about an hour later, after which the congregation will gather outside the church before walking to the memorial for a short service and laying of wreaths.

The Royal British Legion Remembrance Service, at the Paddocks community centre, starts at 10.40am and will include two minutes silence.

People will assemble outside the main hall by 10.35am. Council leader Pam Challis will lead the civic procession into the hall. Those attending will then proceed to the memorial, in the grounds of the Paddocks, for the laying of wreaths.

Services for the Basildon area

Members of Pitsea and Vange British Legion will march from their headquarters in Rectory Road, to St Gabriel's Church, where a remembrance service will begin shortly before 11am, on Sunday.

After the service they will gather round the war memorial, in Howard's Park, off Rectory Road, for a wreath laying ceremony.

In Basildon town centre a march will set off from outside Toys R Us at 10.20am, to St Martin's church for a service at 10.40am. A wreath-laying service will follow at the war memorial, in St Martin's Square.

In Laindon there will be a wreath laid at 3pm at the war memorial, off Laindon High Road.

In Wickford there will be a march from Somerfields car park to the war memorial, in Memorial Park, for a service beginning shortly before 11am.

The service at the Billericay war memorial, in the High Street, will begin at 10.40am.