Pay tribute to those who have put their lives on the line in some of the biggest battles in history this Armed Forces Day.
The annual event, formerly known as Veterans’ Day, brings together military personnel, veterans and the public for family activities, fundraising and wartime artefacts. Here’s where you can find your nearest Armed Forces Day event in Kent…
ASHFORD
Enjoy live music, raffle prizes and family games, all in the name of charity. The event, which actually takes place the day after Armed Forces Day, will see the park transformed into a hub of stalls from military charities, sideshow games and food and drink vendors, as well as a stage for music from the Ashford Concert Band and Ashford Sings. There will also be cadet displays and a chance to meet actively serving troops, veterans and service families.
Details: Sunday, June 25 at Victoria Park in Ashford. Entry is free, no need to book.
DOVER
Fort Burgoyne, which was built in the 1860s to help protect Dover Castle, will be putting on a whole weekends’ worth of Armed Forces activities - but it’s a week early. The Armed Forces Weekend, which takes place before any of the other events on the list, will welcome visitors to the historic landmark to watch wartime reenactments, visit military and craft stalls, grab a bite to eat and a drink from the refreshment stands and have fun on the fairground rides.
Details: Saturday, June 17 and Sunday, June 18 at Fort Burgoyne in Dover. Tickets cost £5 for the day or £8 for the weekend.
FOLKESTONE
For the 12th year, the Armed Forces Fun Day returns to Folkestone, with a packed programme of entertainment. There will be exhilarating air displays, including the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, and a chance to see what it’s like to soar through the skies in Red Arrows and Typhoon flight simulators. Visitors can also expect live music and dance at The Leas bandstand, a classic car show, a family funfair and a military weapon display.
Details: Sunday, June 25 at The Leas in Folkestone. Entry is free, no need to book.
GILLINGHAM
Veterans and Armed Forces members are invited to gather, along with the local community, at this Medway park to commemorate their hard work. There will be a military parade, followed by a vintage vehicle display, live big band music and fairground rides, as well as lots of charity stalls and donation spots. If that’s not enough, the Royal Engineers Museum in Gillingham, Kent’s largest military museum, is also welcoming visitors for free on Armed Forces Day.
Details: Saturday, June 24 at Great Lines Heritage Park in Gillingham. Entry is free, no need to book.
HEADCORN
Take part in flight training and see if you have what it takes to operate a military plane or helicopter. The packed programme of airfield activities, which all take place at the site of a genuine World War I training school, also features parachuting, model flying and a display of wartime aircraft. However, it’s not all up in the air; there will also be tank rides and family games.
Details: Saturday, June 24 at Headcorn Aerodrome in Headcorn, near Ashford. Adult tickets cost £5 online here and £7 on the gate. Military personnel and veterans go free.
SWANLEY
Pay your respects to those who have served on the frontline as the flag is raised and a parade of cadets marches through the town. There’s also lots of charity stalls for visitors to browse, children’s activities such as a goal shootout, and car displays including a wartime ambulance and vintage pink Cadillac.
Details: Sunday, June 25 at Swanley Recreation Ground. Entry is free, no need to book.
