More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
With reporting from Charles Harman and Alan Smith
Kent Remembered the fallen in sombre moments from their armchairs this Remembrance Sunday.
Instead of pinning their poppies and making the annual pilgrimage to war memorials in towns and villages across the county, they tuned in to watch socially distanced services either live streamed or pre-recorded.
This year marks 101 years since ceremonies to commemorate the war dead were first held but because of the pandemic and the second national lockdown, special measures have been put in place to limit the spread of the disease.
Here's how Kent's town's marked the occasion.
Dover
Dover Town Council pre-recorded a service led by Honorary Chaplain the Rev Sean Sheffield at the town's war memorial in Biggin Street.
With all the usual prayers, readings, the Kohima Epitaph and the address, the service was orated by Alan Tinker, representing the Merchant Navy, who said The Fallen poem.
As Last Post was sounded, viewers saw close-ups of the names of the town's heroes embossed on the monument outside the offices Maison Dieu House.
As silence descended, peaceful scenes over the White Cliffs of Dover were a sober tribute to The Few who fought in dog fights over the Straits of Dover during The Battle of Britain, 80 years ago this year; birds tweeted in the sky over a poppy field and scenes of Tommies in First World War trenches were depicted on the Wall of Remembrance.
Tracey Hubbard read the order of wreath laying, for those organisations and individuals who would otherwise have laid wreaths. These include dignitaries and local authorities, Border Force, the RNLI, St John's Ambulance, cadet and scouting organisations.
Today the Royal British Legion attended to lay a wreath and Cllr Graham Wanstall also paid his respects as an independent councillor on the town council.
Ashford
Normally a grand affair in Ashford, today's service was much more subdued than in normal years.
Without the usual procession through the town, the service also ran without any singing. It began with attendees being reminded to keep distance from each other and to wear masks unless they were making a speech.
The Memorial Gardens were closed to the public and residents tuned into a live stream on the Ashford Borough Council Facebook page.
The solemn occasion saw upwards of a dozen wreaths laid at the Memorial Gardens memorial, before a selection of war poems was read out.
Perhaps the biggest marker of this year's unique circumstances - aside from the omnipresent masks - was the lack of songs and hymns. In place of Eternal Father Strong to Save, the Sailors Prayer was read.
Concluding the ceremony was the National Anthem, however due to the ban on singing attendees spoke the words of the anthem's first verse.
Canterbury
The city paid its respects to those who made the ultimate sacrificice this morning.
Canterbury City Council tweeted: "This morning, a wreath laying ceremony took place in the @No1Cathedral Precincts for #RemembranceSunday, led by The Dean, the Very Rvnd Dr Robert Willis. A small number of guests were invited to lay wreaths, and the event took place in line with government guidance."
Maidstone
Maidstone Borough Council held a closed Remembrance Sunday Service this morning at the Cenotaph in the town’s Brenchley Gardens.
Present were the Mayor, Cllr Marion Ring, two representatives from 36 Engineer Regiment, a bugler and a church minister Padre Andrew Harding, who led the service watched by a few veterans.
Maidstone Borough Council held a closed Remembrance Sunday Service this morning at the Cenotaph in the town’s Brenchley Gardens.
Mayor Cllr Marion Ring, said: “It is sad that we are unable to hold the Remembrance Service as we would usually have done this year, but it is so important that we as a country can continue to remember the sacrifice of those who have died in the service of their country. Today’s service may have been small, but it is equally as important as it has been in the past and will be in the future."
MBC asked people to stay at home and instead to come out onto their doorsteps for the two minute silence at 11am to show their respect. Contingents of Maidstone were also invited to lay a wreath at the War Memorial in the Broadway prior to Remembrance Sunday.
Tunbridge Wells
A somewhat larger official gathering was allowed at Tunbridge Wells war memorial in front of the Town Hall, and many shoppers also stopped to pay their respects.
But there was still no march past, live music or salute.
Wreaths were laid by the Mayor Joy Podbury and by the President of the Tunbridge Wells Branch of the Royal British Legion.
Sevenoaks
Sevenoaks Town Council held its customary service at The Vine, but it was strictly limited affair.
Six people only were invited to lay wreaths. Normally the event attracts around 1,000 people and includes a parade.
The proceedings were also live-streamed.
Sutton Valence
In Sutton Valence, the village held its own socially distanced act of remembrance outside St Mary's Church.
Prayers were led by Rev David Trustram and the names of the village's dead from two world wars were read out.
After the two minutes' silence was observed, wreaths were laid at the memorial on Chart Road by the chairman of the parish council Eve Poulter, by Major Glen Millbery on behalf of Sutton Valence School, by Julie McGowan for the Scouts.
Also by Borough Councillor Wendy Young and by Mike Fitzgerald on behalf of the Royal British Legion.
Tonbridge and Malling
Residents observed the two minutes' silence and five representatives laid wreaths at the Memorial Gardens, River Walk, Tonbridge, but numbers were strictly limited to invited guests.
They included the Mayor of Tonbridge and Malling Jill Anderson, MP Tom Tugendhat, a representative of the Princess of Wales’ Royal Regiment and a representative of the Royal British Legion.
In all cases those attending wore face masks or face shields.
Included in several of the church ministers' prayers were an exhortation to God not only to secure peace in future, but also "to protect us from Covid".
Sittingbourne and Sheppey
A 'waterfall' of poppies made from plastic water bottles cascading down the side of retirement apartments was just one of the alternative ways people came up with to mark Remembrance Sunday in Sittingbourne.
The feature was installed at Beatrice Lodge, in Canterbury Road.
On Sheppey, there was a similar creation at Minster Abbey Gatehouse Museum, this time using fishing nets to achieve the waterfall effect.
Meanwhile, in Sheerness, undertakers Bobby Palliser and Stephen Platt of Palliser Platt and Sons commissioned artist Richard Jeferies to paint a Remembrance mural on their premises in Strode Crescent.
