Hundreds lined the streets in Leicester on Saturday as Station and Support Force personnel from RAF Wittering marched through the city to mark Armed Forces Day on Saturday 28th June.
Image by: AS2 Eleanor Higgs
Organised in conjunction with Leicester City Council, the parade was a commemoration and celebration of the city’s links with the Armed Forces. Leicestershire has many historic links with the Royal Air Force in particular and the city has a fine cultural and ethnic diversity. Aircraft from RAF Wittering defended the skies over Leicester during both World wars.
The 250-strong parade of service personnel, veterans, reservists and cadets from all three Armed Forces stepped off from the Clock Tower to Jubilee Square. Music was provided by the pipes and drums of the Seaforth Highlanders.
Image by: AS2 Eleanor Higgs
Preparations for the parade were meticulous. In the preceding days Warrant Office Maxine Booth and her team of drill instructors had rehearsed the Royal Air Force Wittering detachment to perfection.
Station Commander Wing Commander Nikki Duncan was the senior Royal Air Force officer at the parade.
“Warrant Officer Booth has done an excellent job in preparing our personnel for this parade. Anyone could tell from the warmth of the welcome we received from the people of Leicester just how much they appreciated the parade and, more importantly, how much they appreciate the armed forces.”
Wing Commander Nikki Duncan
Station Commander.
Armed Forces Day takes place on the last Saturday each June. The day is a chance for people to show their support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community: from currently serving troops to Service families, veterans and cadets.
Image by: AS2 Eleanor Higgs.
The parade concluded with a drumhead service, attended by Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire Mike Kapur OBE, the Lord Mayor of Leicester, Cllr Teresa Aldred, and chairman of Leicestershire County Council Paul Harrison. Drumhead services are an ancient military tradition, held during battles when no church was available, and the military drums were used instead of an altar.
