SUSSEX fell silent today as thousands showed their respect at Remembrance Sunday services.

The ceremony at the Peace Gardens in the Old Steine, Brighton, was led by Rt Rev Dr Martin Warner, Bishop of Chichester, in honour of the Glorious Dead.

Young and old alike joined together to commemorate the centenary of the guns falling silent on the Western Front during the First World War on November 11, 1918.

Among those gathered in Brighton was great-grandmother of 13 Sandra Chalmers, who lives in The Lanes.

She was remembering her great grandfather Fred Bulbeck, who is among those honoured on the war memorial in Brighton.

She said: “The reason I come here is to remember all the people that fought for our country to make it what it is today.

“It is very important for us.

“My son comes down here every year and his children and grandchildren come too.

“I feel emotional just being here.

“Before I retired I used to work on the weekends, but in the past two or three years I have joined the services, and I have sold poppies for the past two years.

“The turnout today is very nice, considering the weather, which has been unpredictable.”

Hove father-of-two Mark Smith attended the service with his family.

He said his grandfather Arthur Smith was killed in 1917.

He said he will try to teach his own young children about Remembrance.

“They might remember today and carry it forward when they get older,” he said.

Veterans paraded and laid wreaths at the war memorial.

Among those attending was Second World War RAF veteran Anthony Simmonds, who was with his daughters Mary Cressey and Gill Cox and his son John Simmonds.

He said: “My daughter Mary is wearing my uncle’s First World War medals, and Gill is wearing her grandfather’s First World War Medals.

“I used to march in London every year, but my old legs won’t carry me any more.

“I’m in my nineties now. It is a tremendous experience.”

Mr Simmonds witnessed Brighton being bombed in an air raid during the Second World War and his diary entry is in the museum.

He also served in Libya during the Second World War, where he was asked to use his German speaking skills to speak to prisoners.

The Argus:

THE Mayor of Brighton led prayers at the Peace Gardens.

Councillor Dee Simson read Laurence Binyon’s poem For The Fallen.

She said: “They shall grow not old, as we that left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

“At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we will remember them.”

She said the Kohima Epitaph: “When you go home, tell them of us and say, for your tomorrow, we have our today.”

Crowds observed a two-minute silence after the sound of a gun boomed out.

The city’s various religious groups were represented with prayers, and dignitaries from the council, Armed Forces and emergency services laid wreaths.

Meanwhile the Bishop of Chichester read Psalm 46 and a short prayer, while crowds sang Sussex by the Sea and the National Anthem.

The parade ended by returning to Madeira Drive.