I was glad to have the chance on this Remembrance Sunday to join the parade and service at Upminster, where hundreds of residents joined with police, school and community representatives and the Church of St Laurence to pay our respects to those who have sacrificed their lives for our freedoms. 

The parade was organised by Ian Thomson of the Upminster and Cranham Royal British Legion, and we set off from there to the Church to the haunting sound of bagpipes. A service outside St Laurence's was followed by the laying of wreaths from countless local organisations including Scout, Guide and Beaver groups, local schools and military charities. 

Representatives from the Hornchurch & Upminster Conservative Association kindly laid wreaths on my behalf at the memorials in Hornchurch and Harold Hill. Attendance at each ceremony across the constituency was incredibly high as residents demonstrated the respect and admiration in which they hold those who serve on our behalf in the military.