Salute in towns mark Armed Forces Day
The seventh Armed Forces Day was marked in Maidstone with a ceremonial flagraising ceremony.
Government and civic buildings across the country followed suit for the designated day on Monday.
Civic dignitaries gathered in front of the town hall in Jubilee Square and watched as the mayor’s Sea Cadet Matthew Sheppard raised the special flag on a temporary mast in the High Street.
Gurkhas from 36 Engineer Regiment then performed a traditional khukuri knife display and there were speeches by the Mayor of Maidstone, Cllr Daniel Moriarty, and by the Deputy Lieutenant of Kent, Bill Cockcroft, before a lament from a piper.
In the audience were the council’s chief executive Alison Broom, the CO of 36 Engineers Lt Col Richard Walker, Ch Insp Mick Gardner of Kent Police, Cllr Fran Wilson and Cllr Fay Gooch, respectively the leader and deputy leader of the council.
They were joined by others in their civic robes. Afterwards the guests adjourned to the town hall for refreshments.
A similar event took place at Tonbridge Castle, where Mayor of Tonbridge and Malling, Cllr Owen Baldock, raised the flag himself, supported by dignitaries from Tonbridge and Malling Council and members of the Royal British Legion.
Defence services secretary, Major General Richard Nugee, asked all local authorities to take part.
Armed Forces Day was introduced in 2008 to show the country’s appreciation for all the men and women in uniform. The official national celebration will be held in Stoke Park, Guildford, tomorrow (Saturday) when around 60,000 people are expected to watch a military parade.
The Maidstone flag is now on the permanent flag-pole on the town hall where it will fly for the rest of the week.