Parade of veterans crosses Tower Bridge to mark Armed Forces Day
Veterans have taken part in a parade across Tower Bridge, to mark the first Armed Forces Day, with a ceremonial gun salute and a fly past by two RAF Puma helicopters.
Backed by the Mayor of London and the MOD, it is part of an afternoon of activities being organised in honour of service men and women past and present. The free, public event took place in Potters Fields Park outside City Hall, with a range of family friendly activities, plus information about the invaluable work of the Armed Forces.
The event included the presentation of badges to ten veterans and speeches by Deputy Mayor of London Richard Barnes, Vice Chief of the Defense Staff General Sir Nicholas Houghton KCB CBE and Under Secretary of State Kevan Jones.
A new cookbook entitled 'Food for Heroes' has also been launched, which aims to raise £100,000 for the charity 'Help for Heroes'. Restaurateur and author Peter Gladwin created some of the recipes at the event, which also featured a real life army kitchen in action.
Mayor of London Boris Johnson says: 'My admiration for the men and women of the Armed Forces is without limit. The role they each have in ensuring our national security and responding to crises overseas and closer to home cannot be overstated. We hosted a celebration in Trafalgar Square last year, and I'm delighted that Armed Forces Day has been established as an annual event.'
General Sir Richard Dannatt says: 'Today's Service men and women are fantastic people and they deserve our wholehearted support. Armed Forces Day is a great opportunity to recognise their achievements and for people to show that they care. Soldiers, sailors and airmen are immensely grateful for the backing of the British public and when they march through their home towns to the applause of a crowd they feel ten feet tall.'
Maurice Hudson, Chairman of the GLA branch of the Royal British Legion says: 'We welcome the institution of Armed Forces Day, which gives us all an opportunity of expressing the widely held support of our fellow citizens for the past and present services of the men and women of our Armed Services.'
Lieutenant Colonel (retired) Mike Bray, Secretary of the Confederation of British Service and Ex-Service Organisations (COBSEO) says: 'The Armed Forces of this country are second to none and hold a special place in the hearts of the nation. Why? Because the demands imposed on them in the course of their duty are unique, including the distinct possibility of dying or being seriously injured as a result. These duties set them apart from others in society and make them unique. The Nation owes them a debt and has a responsibility to ensure they are treated fairly.
'Armed Forces Day is one day in the year when, publicly, people can honour all the Armed Forces community; past, present and the future, serving, retired veterans, families, widows and those of the Merchant fleets who have sailed in support of UK military operations. It shows people care and demonstrates the support that Government departments, Local Authorities and members of the Confederation of Service and Ex-Service Organisations are delivering on a daily basis to these unique people.'
THE PARADE
· The Parade consists of elements from Royal Navy, Army, RAF and veterans from all three services. The Band of the Scots Guards lead by Drum Mayor Tony Moors. Recent activities include Queen's Birthday Parade, Royal Windsor Royal Tattoo and the Beating of the Retreat at Horse Guards. They are off to Bermuda this October.
· Major Adam Wills of 1 Irish Guards is the Contingent Commander
BADGE CEREMONY
Merchant Seaman
Danny Langdon Born 27-3-1933 Joined the MN in 1949 until 1959 and during his time in the MN he worked on deck, his ships carried stores to the Suez and also to the Rhine. His MN No was R505854. He came out of the MN and then joined the Worshipall Company of Gunmakers, he then moved out to Dagenham and joined Fords for a Period of time. Finally he joined the Post Office as a driver and collections man until his retirement.
Ernest Allum Born 11-3-1921 He joined the MN as a 16yr old boy and was signed on as a catering boy, he was then succonded to the Royal Navy until war finished and he rejoined Union Castle were in 1966 he went ashore as Marine Purchasing Officer / Manager for South Marine Europe until 1986 when he retired. His MN No was R167603 he saw service during WW2 and is a valued member of the MNA.
Frank Kelley born 10-6-1923 He joined the MN in 1941 as a Radio Officer and came out in 1954, his MN No was R241421 his ships were involved in WW2 and events afterwards.
Joined GPO at various radio stations around the country until his retirement. Currently his voluntary work includes driving local Community Buses in Chelmsford.
GLA representatives
Lieutenant Michael Jenkins Late of the 1st Battalion Essex Regiment. Served from October 1952 to September 1954, mostly in Hong Kong and then with the British Commonwealth Force in Korea.
Senior Aircraftsman (SAC) David Wood Served from May 1953 to April 1955 in the Royal Air Force, mostly as a Radar Technician for 192 Squadron RAF at RAF Watton, Norfolk.
Stuart E Davies Enlisted into the Coldstream Guards in 1966 and left of redundancy in 1983, in the rank of Colour Sergeant. During this period of time he served in Germany, Cyprus, Hong Kong and Northern Ireland to mention but a few, culminating in my being the Office Manager at the Ministry of Defence (DI5) during the Falklands Crisis. He left the Regiment with the GSM, ACSM and Good Conduct medals remains involved with the Regiment as the Honorary Secretary of The Coldstream Guards Association (Watford and District Branch) and a committee member of The Coldstream Sergeants' (Past and Present) Association. Since leaving the Armed Forces he has worked for Arthur Anderson (1 year), Mercury Communication Plc., (5 years) and RP Martin Group Ltd (Financial Brokers) with whom he is still working and in my 21st year as their Facilities Manager.
Yeoman Warders
YW Richard Sands Ex WO1 (Bandmaster) 14/20 Kings Hussars 24055461 Served from August 1965 until October 1989 He was a career bandsman and served throughout the world rising through the ranks as a musician before becoming the Bandmaster of the 14/20 Kings Hussars Band. He joined the Body of Yeoman Warders in August 1989 and has served to date.
He is currently the chapel Clerk within the Tower and responsible to the Chaplain for the day to day administration of the two chapels within the Tower, St John the Evangelist and St Peter ad Vincula.
YW Colin Smith MBE BEM Ex RAF WO F8083546. Served from March 1970 until April 2000. Colin served all over the World with the RAF in the Catering Branch rising from Airman to Warrant Officer. He joined the Body of Yeoman Warders after leaving the RAF in October 1999 and has served here at the Tower till the present date. He lives in the Tower with his wife Julia.
TA
Brian Traynor Served from 22/2/84 until 8/2/06 with 41 Signal Squadron, Brian started off in HF Troop transferring to radio relay and finishing as Sgt on the long range communications. Brian also served 6 months in Iraq as a Rad Con Sgt for HQ OpTelic 5 during the elections. In his time with 41 Brian did the Nijmegen Marches and Crete and the Pyrenees twice. Brian has been married to Christine for 22 years and is father to Abby and George his two children. Brian is a currently a Driver for EPS who are sub contracted to by Croydon Council
Maria Traynor Served from 11/8/93 until 11/11/03 with 41 Signal Squadron. Maria was a member of K troop first working HF radio and finishing as a Cpl doing long range communications. Maria also did a 6 months tour in Bosnia in December 1995 until May 1996 with 3 UK Div doing various radio comms. Maria does various walks for charities having recently completed the 3 Peaks Challenge for the Meningitis Trust and the Moon Walk for breast Cancer. Maria is a Support Services Officer for the City of London Corporation in the Open Spaces.
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