HUNDREDS of visitors gathered to pay their respects to fallen soldiers at a historic heritage site.

Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome welcomed more than 500 visitors to the site for its Remembrance Day parade.

More than 100 young people paraded in the presence of His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Essex, Jennifer Tolhurst.

Maldon and Burnham Standard: Wreath: ECC chairman Jill Reeves lays a wreathWreath: ECC chairman Jill Reeves lays a wreath (Image: Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome)Maldon and Burnham Standard: Meeting: Sea Cadets from Maldon meet the Lord LieutenantMeeting: Sea Cadets from Maldon meet the Lord Lieutenant (Image: Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome)

The lieutenant then gave a sensitive address to the assembled crowds, discussing the sacrifices of the armed forces, before handing over to Reverend Dan Pierce for a service focussing on Community and peace.

Wreaths were laid by Mrs Tolhurst, Maldon MP Sir John Whittingdale, the leaders of both Essex County and Maldon District Councils and representatives of Colchester Garrison.

Maldon and Burnham Standard: Ceremony: Standards from the cadet forces and Royal British LegionCeremony: Standards from the cadet forces and Royal British Legion (Image: Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome)

Chair of the Board of Trustees of Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome, Martyn Gill read the Exhortation.

The assembled ranks then performed a March Past for the Lord Lieutenant, who took the salute on behalf of the King.

Maldon and Burnham Standard: Flags: the start of the march pastFlags: the start of the march past (Image: Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome)Maldon and Burnham Standard: Soldiers: members of the army during the march pastSoldiers: members of the army during the march past (Image: Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome)

Mr Gill said: “Throughout the year, we dedicate ourselves to the constant work of preserving our history, working with our many supporters of all ages.

“We are an exciting and bustling place. Today, though, we pause. The Act of Remembrance, especially at Stow Maries, is a time for reflection and contemplation and we’re very glad to share it with so many of our community.”