The family of Captain Tom Sawyer, the Watford soldier killed in Afghanistan this year, joined Armed Forces veterans and civic leaders to pay their respects to those who have lost their lives in combat during Armistice Day services today.

Captain Sawyer's mother Sue, father Martyn and wife Katy paid their respects during a ceremony at the war memorial inside Vicarage Road Cemetery this afternoon, on the 91st anniversary of the end of World War One.

Earlier in the day they had been guests at a memorial service at Watford Grammar School for Boys, where Captain Sawyer was once a student and a commemorative plaque has been unveiled in his name.

The family, from Blackwell Drive, Oxhey, said: “That the nation recognises the sacrifices that soldiers, sailors and airmen have made and continue to make is very comforting for us. Politics aside, it is very reassuring to know that the public is behind our Armed Forces and continue to show their support.

“Tom's wife, parents, family and friends attended the Remembrance Service at Vicarage Road Cemetery and it clearly demonstrated a solidarity between bereaved families of today and those of years past."

On Saturday, Sue and Martyn accompanied Katy to the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall, ahead of the War Widows march.

Then on Sunday, the family attended the Gunner Memorial Service in Hyde Park with a number of Captain Sawyer's Army colleagues.

Captain Sawyer, 26, was serving with 7 (Sphinx) Commando Battery, 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery, when he was killed in an explosion in Helmand province in Afghanistan on Wednesday, January 14.