HUNDREDS of people across the county gathered at services today to commemorate the fallen.

For many, this Remembrance Sunday was particularly poignant after events were severely curtailed by Covid last year.

The ceremony honours all those who have died in conflict.

In Brighton, a parade involving members of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Scouts started in Madeira Drive and marched towards the War Memorial and Garden of Remembrance in the Old Steine, where large crowds were waiting to pay their respects.

Ian Smith, who lives in Patcham, was the standard-bearer for the Brighton and Hove branch of the Royal Sussex Regimental Association.

The Argus: Remembrance Day in Old Steine, BrightonRemembrance Day in Old Steine, Brighton

The 70-year-old said: "It is very important soldiers are remembered.

"The Royal Sussex Regiment served throughout the world, they were in places such as Canada, South Africa and Monte Cassino and the Suez Canal.

"It is important that we remember them for all theatres of war that they took part in."

John Hayden-Jones, who lives in Moulsecoomb, served in the Army for nine years in Ireland, Malta and Yemen. He uses Remembrance Day as a chance to honour lost comrades.

The 80-year-old said: "I look at it this way, so many people lost their lives, and I am honouring them as I survived.

"When I was in Yemen, we had some close clips, we had friendly fire open up on us but we got away with it. The Lord was on our side.

"I take great pleasure in honouring people who died for this country to keep us safe, that is the main thing."

This year's service was the first since coronavirus restrictions were lifted almost in their entirety, with many encouraged to pay their respects from home last year to prevent the spread of the virus.

Brighton and Hove Mayor Councillor Alan Robins and Brighton Pavilion MP Caroline Lucas were among those who laid wreaths at the memorial.

Ms Lucas said: "The service was incredibly powerful and, I think, particularly given that we were not able to gather together last year it made it even more special that this year everyone was together again.

"It was a really sombre occasion but there was a real sense of solidarity that I think is really powerful.

"Lots of people turning up and lots young people too, which I think is really important, so it was a really special day for Brighton and Hove as always."

The Argus: MP Caroline Lucas placed a wreath at the war memorial in BrightonMP Caroline Lucas placed a wreath at the war memorial in Brighton

Brighton and Hove City Council leader Phelim Mac Cafferty was also present at the service. It was his first public appearance since the controversy over his flight to the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow, which led to calls for him to resign.

Brighton's war memorial, built in 1922, is inscribed with the names of 2,597 men and three women from the city who were killed during the First World War.

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