Hundreds stand in silent tribute to towns' war dead

As the crowd stood in quiet reflection the silence was broken by the sounding of the Last Post by Seaford Silver Band member Heidi Watkins. The Exhortation was said by the president of Seaford Royal British Legion Bill Melville. Wreaths were laid by Seaford RBL vice-chairman Bob Harper, the Mayor of Seaford, Cllr Jill Rosser, the chairman of Lewes District Council, Cllr Marie Smith, the chairman of the women's section of Seaford RBL, Margaret Sharp, and former Brighton and Hove Albion goalkeeper Brian Powney, on behalf of the town. Others were laid by the Fire Brigade, Guide Association, Boys' Brigade, Royal Naval Association, Army cadets and Lions Club. Afterwards, a service, led by the Rev Hugh Atherstone, was held at St Leonard's Church. West Indian, Canadian and Ulster servicemen were remembered at a service at Seaford Cemetery on Tuesday. Prayers were led by Father John Lloyd-James, of St Andrew's Church, Bishopstone. Wreaths were laid by Brigadier-General Bill Ricard, on behalf of the Canadian High Commission, Lewes District Council chairman Marie Smith and representatives of the West Indian Veteran Association. A purple leaf Maple tree was also planted in remembrance. In Newhaven a crowd of 400 paid their tribute. After a remembrance service at St Michael's Church, the procession made its way to the memorial in Fort Road, accompanied by the Newhaven Youth Marching Band. The two minute silence was broken by the sounding of the Last Post by an Air Training Corps bugler. The Exhortation was said by Colonel Peter Howard-Harwood, president of Newhaven Royal British Legion. Wreaths were laid by representatives of the Royal British Legion, HMS Pursuer, Army, Navy and Air cadets, Lions and Lionesses, Guides and Scouts, Newhaven Conservative Club and the Mayor of Newhaven, Cllr Dennis Forsdike. The parade then continued to the Canadian War Memorial in South Way to honour the Canadian soldiers who died in the Dieppe raid. Some 30 former members of Second World War RAF air sea rescue units paid their respects at a floating remembrance service in Newhaven Harbour. Rescuers, who saved airmen shot down in the Channel, boarded a small flotilla which gathered around the Newhaven Lifeboat to hear a service broadcast over the Lifeboat's radio. It was conducted by the RAF Air Sea Rescue and Marine Craft Section Club padre Peter Pain. The ashes of the late Sergeant John Smith, an engineer fitter who served with 28 Air Sea Rescue Unit at Newhaven, were scattered at sea by his son and wreaths were floated on the water.