Flag Raised At The Guildhall To Mark Armed Forces Day

Published on: 23 Jun, 2014
Updated on: 23 Jun, 2014

The annual flag raising to mark Armed Forces Day took place at the Guildhall in Guildford on Monday morning, June 23.

The flag is raised at the Guildhall to mark Armed Forces Day.

A sizable crowd including dignitaries, veterans, aldermen, councillors, council staff and guests gathered at the Guildhall before the flag raising.

The leader of Guildford Borough Council, Stephen Mansbridge, said that we should make even more of this day in which we pay our respects to the armed forces in an appropriate way. He reminded everyone of the freedom parade in Guildford this Saturday (June 28) with the 3rd Battalion The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment.

He added that Guildford is bidding to host next year’s national Armed Forces Day, and if successful, this will be a huge event held in Stoke Park.

Inside the Guildhall before the flag raising ceremony. Picture by Sheila Aitkinson.

Col Patrick Crowley (late of The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment) spoke about the changes taking place to the UK’s armed forces due to its restructuring. He said that although it will be smaller in number, there will be more reservists and more personnel being relocated to the UK from overseas. He said this means the public’s support for them is needed as they become part of UK society.

Cllr Stephen Mansbridge talks to a veteran. Picture by Sheila Atkinson.

He also made reference to the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War and said that during the Great War the local The Queen’s Regiment (that is now amalgamated into The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment) raised 31 batttalions.

The gathering on the balcony of the Guildhall for the service before the flag raising.

On the balcony of the Guildhall for the morning’s ceremony were the rector of Worplesdon, the Rev’d Hugh Grear; Col Partick Crowley; Cllr Stephen Mansbridge; the Mayor, David Elms; cadet Joshua Bell; Bill Wallis of the Royal Air Force Association; and bugler Simon Persin.

Bugler Simon Persin.

Following the Welcome and the playing of The Last Post, there was a minute’s silence. The flag was then unfurled from the bell tower of the Guildhall and the ceremony closed with a prayer and a blessing.

Watching the proceedings from Tunsgate.

Details for Saturday’s freedom parade are:

2.15pm: parade steps off from Town Bridge.

2.25pm: parade arrives at Holy Trinity Church, followed by an inspection and a short service.

2.45pm: VIP party moves to the Guildhall balcony to take the salute.

2.55pm: parade steps off, returning down High Street.

3.10pm: arrive at Castle Grounds and parade dismissed.

Responses to Flag Raised At The Guildhall To Mark Armed Forces Day

David Halpin Reply

June 24, 2014 at 9:49 am

Before deciding whether to attend the ‘Freedom’ Parade, I should like to know whose freedom we are celebrating.

Secondly, I presume the armed forces will be central. Will there be artists and poets? Will there be writers of independence who comment on the downward spiral of our civic freedoms and of our national harmony?
- Martin Giles Reply
  
  June 24, 2014 at 12:34 pm
  
  Just a point of information – the “freedom” in question is the civic freedom of Guildford Borough passed down to the Princess of Wales Royal Regiment from their predecessors The Queen’s Regiment. The original freedom was granted in September 1945 to The Queens Royal Regiment whose depot was at Stoughton Barracks.
  
  Regiments who are granted such freedoms are allowed to march through the towns that have awarded them with bayonets fixed, drums beating and colours flying. The towns normally have some sort of association with the regiments; they may have been based nearby and, in the case of infantry regiments, are often from within their geographic recruiting areas.
  
  So the freedom being celebrated on this occasion is not the general freedom of expression that we all value. Perhaps there should be another type of parade for that?