In a year when loss has been felt more often than most, Remembrance Sunday services to commemorate those lost at war were held in a very different way. Government restrictions on mass gatherings also extended to the annual services. Organisers were told to limit the numbers in attendance, communal singing was banned, and Track and Trace check-ins were encouraged. 

Just like the national events at the Cenotaph were forced to adapt, it was suggested that local events should follow a similar plan. This year the ceremonies were observed across Kent with many private wreath-laying events and church services, but unlike the previous 100 years that this has been a tradition, the public were not allowed in. 

However, some ceremonies did go ahead in a Covid-secure way and many people took to their doorsteps across the county to observe the two-minute silence at 11am.

In Chatham, a private wreath-laying event was livestreamed to hundreds of local residents. The service at Victoria Gardens saw around 40 people in attendance which is very different to the thousands that would usually gather. 

Cllr Vince Maple (LAB) said: “Normally here at Chatham for our Remembrance Day parade and service, we have around 2,000 people here respecting the Veterans, uniformed youth and those serving in the armed forces today.

“Of course, because of coronavirus, regrettably none of that is possible. We’re making sure that although we cannot be together, we are still showing our respect and thanks to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom and democracy.”

The Deputy-Lieutenant for Medway alongside many councillors, veterans, local group leaders and Police lined up to lay a wreath on the memorial. This year, two nurses from the Medway Maritime Hospital also took part on behalf of Chatham and Aylesford MP, Tracey Crouch, as she battles breast cancer. 

One of those laying a wreath was Arthur Duff, a former Sapper for the Royal Engineers. He joined in 1952 at the Barracks in Chatham for just 28 shillings a week. 

He said: “If you think you’ve got it bad just think of those young men in the trenches and think of what they went through, you have no worries at all really. The difference is now, that in the war if a person was upset you could give them a cuddle. Today, we can’t do any of that and that’s the problem.”

Although the crowds were not around, and cuddles were few and far between, the comradery between those present was undeniable. The online audience were also active leaving comments of support and love through the Facebook livestream by Kent Media Group and A1 Media. 

Jack Wilson from the Kent Media group said they saw a message on Facebook that the service was potentially cancelled and said that “we’ve lost so much already this year and didn’t want this to be one of them”. They then stepped up and livestreamed the event to more than 300 people. 

So, although this year the Remembrance Sunday services were different, it is clear that the respect and effort from those in Kent shows no boundaries. 

Lest we forget. 

Read more about Remembrance Sunday in Kent: