SOUTHEND stopped to honour war heroes past and present with a moving VE Day and VJ Day parade.

Military servicemen and women displayed their uniforms adorned with medals and marched from the Naval and Military Club in Royal Terrace to St John’s Church in Pier Hill, for a rousing service.

The parade has been held annually for the last five years to mark the end of hostilities in Europe in May, 1945, and in Japan in August, 1945.

Residents yesterday lined the street to applaud as the soldiers marched in lines of three to the beat of a drum banged by the Southend 1312 Air Cadets squadron band.

The 13 to 19-year-olds performed 12 different marches along the route.

Julie Thomson, commanding officer of the Air Cadet squadron, said: “It was a wonderful parade and service “We have been involved since it started five years ago but previously it has just been the parade.

“This year we wanted to get the whole squadron involved and we also took part in the service.”

Four members of the squadron played Abide by Me during the church service, a performance that drew a large round of applause from the packed congregation.

The Air Cadets will be leading a parade along the same route on Sunday, September 18, to commemorate the Battle of Britain.

For the first time this year they will also lead the Remembrance Sunday parade in November.

In attendance were former MP Sir Teddy Taylor and Southend West MP David Amess.

Dennis Ward, chairman of the Naval and Military Club, said the parade and service had been an exceptional and well-organised event.

He said: “Since the Government decided it was scrapping the VE and VJ Day parades in London due to costs five years ago we have been having this parade.

“It is important we keep up the tradition and we intend doing so.”