Crowds gathered at the Royal British Legion Village memorial garden in Aylesford to pay their respects to those who have sacrificed their lives and those who continue to risk theirs for the country.

An intimate service was lead by Rev Chris Van Straaten in the newly refurbished New Garden of Honour, in Bentley Close, at 3pm on Remembrance Sunday with the names of the village’s fallen read out, the last post was played and attendees respecting a two-minute silence.

The service began with a roll of honour read by youth representative for the RBL village branch, Charlie Walker-Jopson, which featured William Collins, Alfred Hurley, Military Medal holder David Love, James Sparrow, Michael Watson and Albert Stevens.

Among those to pay their respects were three generations of the Anderson family who have been attending the event for several years.

The family, from Teapot Lane, laid a wreath to their friend Stanley Bogusz who passed away at his Burham home in 2006 aged 86.

Mr Bogusz is considered to be one of the Polish armies foremost heroes, twice badly injured and starved for nearly two years at a prisoner of war camp during the second world war, and winning numerous medals including a 1939-45 Star and two Polish Crosses of Valour which he left to Maidstone Museum following his death.

George Anderson, 58, said: “We have been coming here for quite a while, it’s busy every year but this is the largest crowd we have ever seen. I think because it is the 100 years it makes people more aware.”

Also in attendance were the Maidstone branch of the sea cadets who stood proudly in the new band stand built in the memory of their founder Edwin Boorman.

Lt Cdr Peter Lewis said: “On behalf of the sea cadets this is a thank you to all those who gave their days for our tomorrows.”