29 June 2015

Please note: this news article is in our archive. Articles were correct at time of publication, but should not be relied on for accuracy after the passage of time.

A crowd of about 200 gathered at the East Court War Memorial on Saturday to honour our Armed Forces.

The event had particular poignancy this year coming as it did so soon after the three terrorist attacks of the day before in France, Tunisia and Kuwait, which served as a brutal reminder of the vital job our service people do in keeping us safe.

Rev Clive Everett-Allen led the service for the final time before his retirement next month, before wreaths were laid by Town Mayor Dick Sweatman, the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Sussex Margaret Collins, Sqn Ldr Graeme Stagg on behalf of the Air Training Corps, and Derek Capel, President of the town branch of the Royal British Legion.

After the prayer service and blessing, the air cadets carried out a drill in front of East Court mansion.

They were followed by performances from the choirs of Halsford Park and Baldwins schools, and the East Grinstead Concert Band, a military exercise put on by the A Company Surrey Army Cadet Force and a closing ceremony with the cadets and Standard Bearers.

A tribute was also paid to the work of the late Don Cooper who died in April, who has the driving force behind Armed Forces Day in East Grinstead.

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Photos courtesy of © East Grinstead Online