News

Remembrance Services in Thurrock

12 November 2024
Remembrance Services took place across the borough, including a ceremony which took place at Grays War Memorial on Sunday 10 November which saw wreaths laid in honour of those who have served.
Organised by the Royal British Legion, the service brings together veterans and dignitaries as a crowd of hundreds join in marking Remembrance Day.

Thurrock marks Merchant Navy Day

4 September 2024
Thurrock Council marked Merchant Navy Day by raising the Red Ensign Flag at a special event on Tuesday 3 September.
The event was opened with a prayer and speeches from Mayor of Thurrock, Cllr Kairen Raper, and Cabinet Member for Community Partnerships, Cllr Valerie Morris-Cook and saw Thurrock MP Jen Craft raise the Red Ensign flag to recognise our past and present seafarers and celebrate the contribution that they have made to the freedoms we enjoy today.

Celebrations in Purfleet-on-Thames for Gurkha war memorial

23 August 2024
Last Sunday (18 August), the Thurrock Nepalese (Gurkha) Community unveiled Thurrock's first Gurkha war monument at Purfleet Heritage and Military Centre. Funded by the Thurrock Nepalese (Gurkha) Community, the monument, known as The Gurkhas' Memorial Thurrock, is the first to include the names of all 26 soldiers, 13 Nepalese and 13 British, serving with Gurkha regiments who have received the Victoria Cross.

Thurrock flies flag for Armed Forces Day 2024

24 June 2024
Military groups and veterans joined Cllr Kairen Raper, the Mayor of Thurrock to raise the Armed Forces Day flag outside the Civic Offices in New Road, Grays on Monday 24 June.
Representatives from the Royal Airforce Association, Royal British Legion, Far East Veterans Association and the Ambulance and Police services were all in attendance as Cllr Raper raised the flag.
The service began with a parade to the flagpoles led by local piper, Jo Goddard who played a rendition of 'Wings', a traditional marching song.

Thurrock remembers the 80th anniversary of D-Day

7 June 2024
A series of events took place across the borough as Thurrock commemorated the 80th anniversary of D-Day on Thursday 6 June.
Cllr Kairen Raper, the Mayor of Thurrock, was joined by veterans – many of whom fought in World War II, as she raised a commemorative flag at the Civic Offices in New Road, Grays.
The Mayor then attended a touching remembrance service at the Grays War Memorial. The service was organised by the Grays Thurrock branch of the Royal British Legion and led by their chairman, Rod Oakley. Reverend David Peterson supported the service with prayers.

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