THE lives of those who have died in the service of their country will be remembered this weekend as the borough falls silent for Remembrance Sunday.

With wreath-laying ceremonies and remembrance services taking place at war memorials in town centres, schools and churches, their former comrades have spoken of the need not to forget the sacrifices they made.

Norman Gower, 93, is the president of the Wanstead and Woodford branch of the Royal British Legion (RBL), and served with the Royal Navy in the Second World War.

He said: "If you fought in six years of war and had seen plenty of people killed, and you want wars to cease in the future, you would keep remembering.

"The money raised by the Royal British Legion helps victims of war and their families.

"It is important we keep remembering and raising money."

RBL member David Cracknell, 78, of Frating Crescent in Woodford Green, served in the RAF as a senior aircraftsman during the 1950s.

He has been helping with the poppy appeal in Woodford Bridge and said it is important people wear their poppy with pride.

"We have got to continue to support families affected by war," he added.

"It is only once a year that we remember. I think it makes youngsters aware of the sacrifices which were made to achieve the level of freedom they enjoy today.

"Hopefully younger people will also become aware of the horrors of war and, as Winston Churchill said, 'It is better to jaw, jaw than to war, war'."