102-year-old veteran joins Remembrance Sunday observances

George Durrant, 102, participated in the Remembrance Sunday parade in Crawley, West Sussex, on Monday. Durrant served in Burma during World War II and laid a wreath at the ceremony. The crowd applauded as he completed the tribute. The event marked the annual observance in the south east of England.

The day was dedicated to honoring individuals who lost their lives in conflict. Communities across Kent, Sussex, and Surrey gathered at local war memorials. At 11:00 GMT, participants fell silent to remember the fallen. The simultaneous observance connected residents in the three counties for the ceremony.

Local groups used specific methods to display their remembrance. In Netherfield, East Sussex, volunteers created poppies from old plastic bottles to honor lost loved ones. In Rusthall, near Tunbridge Wells in Kent, poppies were dropped from the bell tower of St Paul's church onto the choir. These displays provided a visual focus for the attendees.

Durrant described the service as moving. He stated, "It reminded me of the days I had to spend in the jungle in Burma where we lost a lot of men." He explained that he paid his respect to them. Durrant noted that the servicemen had no choice because they were conscripted. "We had to go and do our duty so that is what we did," he said.

The veteran added that the group had a job to do and simply got on with it. The ceremony concluded with the laying of wreaths and the shared silence. The observances took place on Sunday, November 8, 2026.