Huntingdon & District Branch No 6 Area RNA Parades

Huntingdon RNA attend the ‘Fly a Flag for Armed Forces Day’ Service

26 June 2015 Karl Webb Andrew Milton, Karl Webb, Victor Lucas

On Thursday 25th June 2015, the Chairman of Huntingdonshire District Council, Cllr Peter Bucknell, hosted a flag raising ceremony for Armed Forces Day. Uniformed personnel from RAF Wyton represented the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force, whilst veterans were represented by members of the Royal Naval Association, Royal British Legion, and Royal Air Force Association.

The Chair of HDC welcomes attendees to the annual AFD flag raising ceremony

As we approached 1000, the Standard Bearers took their positions outside of Castle Hill House, the wartime HQ of the RAF’s Pathfinder Force. Huntingdon Branch shipmates attending were s/m Karl Webb (who paraded the Branch Standard), s/m Reverend Andrew Milton (leading the prayers and blessing of the Armed Forces Day flag), and s/m Victor Lucas, as High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire.

Standard Bearers from the RNA, RBL, and RAFA were in attendance — Standard Bearers from the RNA, RBL, and RAFA take their positions

The ceremony began with a welcome message from the Chair of HDC, this was followed by the blessing of the Armed Forces Day flag by Reverend Andrew Milton (who is also Hon. Chaplain of Huntingdon RNA). The flag was then hoisted up the flagpole.

Once the AFD flag had been raised, the Last Post was sounded by Lewis Bourne from RAF Wyton’s Volunteer Band; Standard Bearers dipped their Standards in the usual mark of respect, until Reveille was sounded and Standards were carried once more.

Standards are dipped as the Last Post is sounded

Colonel Derek Bristow, in his role as President of the Royal British Legion, Huntingdonsire, gave a speech and passed on the best wishes of the Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire. With the short service concluded, the Chair of HDC invited all participants into the Civic suite for light refreshments.

Although there was very little wind, the Armed Forces Day flag flew proudly from the flagpole outside of the council offices.