Residents across Thurrock are invited to come together this November to honour the courage, service and sacrifice of those who have served in the Armed Forces, as Remembrance events take place throughout the borough.
Services and wreath-laying ceremonies will be held in towns and villages across Thurrock, giving communities the opportunity to pay their respects to those who lost their lives in conflict, remember veterans and recognise the contribution of serving personnel.
Commemorations will begin on Sunday 1 November, ahead of Remembrance Sunday on 8 November, with events taking place across the borough.
Residents of all ages are encouraged to attend a local service, wear a poppy and take a moment to reflect on the sacrifices made by generations of service personnel and their families.
Services ahead of Remembrance Sunday
Sunday 1 November
- Purfleet: Meet at Purfleet Heritage Centre, Magazine 5, Centurion Way, RM19 1ZZ, at 10.15am, with wreath-laying at St Stephen’s Church, London Road, at 10.45am.
- West Thurrock: West Thurrock Memorial Park, London Road, RM20 3BX – 2pm.
Saturday 7 November
- Orsett: War Memorial, High Road, RM16 3LB – 10.55am.
- Communities across Thurrock will gather at local war memorials and churches to observe the traditional two-minute silence at 11am.
- Among the events taking place is the annual service at Grays War Memorial in the High Street, where residents are asked to assemble by 10.45am.
- Aveley: St Michael’s Church, High Street – service at 9.45am, followed by remembrance at the War Memorial at 10.45am.
- Blackshots: St John’s Church, Victoria Avenue, Grays – 10.30am.
- Bulphan: St Mary the Virgin Church, Church Road – 2pm.
- Chadwell St Mary: St Mary’s Church, Linford Road – service at 10.45am, followed by wreath-laying at the memorial.
- Chafford Hundred: Parade from Warren Primary School at 2.45pm, followed by a service at the War Memorial in Kershaw Close at 3pm.
- Corringham: St Mary the Virgin Church – 10.45am.
- East Tilbury: Bata War Memorial, Princess Margaret Road – gathering at 10.30am for a 10.50am start.
- Fobbing: St Michael’s Church, High Road – 9.15am.
- Horndon-on-the-Hill: St Peter and St Paul Church – 11am.
- North Stifford: St Mary’s Church, High Road – 10.30am.
- South Ockendon: War Memorial, St Nicholas Green – 10.45am.
- Stanford-le-Hope: St Margaret’s Parish Church and War Memorial, The Green – 10.30am.
- Tilbury: Tilbury War Memorial, Civic Square – 10.15am to 11.30am.
- Turps Corner: Turps Corner War Memorial – gathering at 8.45am for a 9am service, concluding at 9.30am.
Remembrance Sunday: 8 November
Other services on Remembrance Sunday include:
The council would like to thank the many volunteers, community organisations and local groups who work tirelessly to organise and support Remembrance commemorations across Thurrock.
Special thanks go to Forefront Utilities, Henderson and Taylor, who are providing support in Grays and Tilbury as part of their social value commitments, helping communities come together to remember those who served.
Armistice exhibition at Thurrock Museum
As part of this year’s commemorations, volunteers at Thurrock Museum are presenting a special Armistice exhibition honouring local people who served and made the ultimate sacrifice in conflicts throughout history.
Through photographs, historical records and personal stories, visitors will learn about local people who made the ultimate sacrifice during the First World War, Second World War, Korean War, Malayan Emergency, Falklands Conflict and the war in Afghanistan.
The exhibition offers an opportunity for residents to discover Thurrock’s connections to these conflicts, reflect on the experiences of those who served and ensure their stories continue to be remembered by future generations.
The exhibition will run from Saturday 31 October to Thursday 12 November 2026 at the Thameside Complex Foyer, Orsett Road, Grays, RM17 5DX. Admission is free, and residents of all ages are encouraged to visit.
Armistice Day: Wednesday 11 November
Commemorations will continue on Armistice Day, Wednesday 11 November, marking the anniversary of the end of the First World War in 1918.
At 11am, people across the country will observe a two-minute silence to remember those who have lost their lives in service.
Local commemorations include:
- Grays: Grays War Memorial, High Street – service at 11am, with residents asked to arrive by 10.50am.
- North Stifford: Ardale War Memorial, Stifford Green, Guardian Avenue – 10.50am.
Residents, businesses and organisations are encouraged to observe the silence wherever they are.
Cllr Richard Bingley, Leader of Thurrock Council, said: “Thurrock has a proud history of service and sacrifice, with generations of local people playing their part in conflicts around the world. From the two World Wars to more recent conflicts, our borough has made significant contributions, and many local families have experienced the devastating loss of loved ones who gave their lives in service.
“Remembrance is an opportunity for us to come together, reflect on those sacrifices and recognise the courage and dedication of everyone who has served, including those who continue to serve today.
“I encourage residents to attend a local Remembrance service and visit the special exhibition at Thurrock Museum, which brings to life the stories of local people who served our country. Their contributions and sacrifices are part of Thurrock’s history, and it is our responsibility to ensure they are never forgotten.”
Find your nearest Remembrance service
A full list of Remembrance events, including dates, times and locations, are available via: https://www.thurrock.gov.uk/armed-forces/remembrance-day-events-2026
For more information about the free Thurrock Museum exhibition, visit: https://www.thurrock.gov.uk/armed-forces/armistice-event-2026-thurrock-museum