A military veteran has spoken of his pride at staging Yorkshire’s largest Armed Forces event in his hometown to mark 100 days to go until thousands of people will descend on Scarborough for the annual celebration.
The resort will host Armed Forces Day on Saturday, June 27, which will see spectacular air displays alongside colourful parades, musical performances and family activities.
The free event, which is hosted by North Yorkshire Council and is part of its commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant, takes place 100 days from today (19 March).
For Scarborough resident David Purvis, who is known as Johnny and is a former sergeant with the Green Howards and the Military Provost Guard Service (MPGS), taking part in the day is both personal and powerful.
He said: “Armed Forces Day in Scarborough is something really special and the atmosphere is always fantastic. The seafront becomes a sea of colour and energy, with families lining the streets and people of all ages gathering to watch the parade.
“Standing alongside fellow veterans, supporting the community stalls and marching in the parade is a powerful reminder that events like this bring the Armed Forces and the public together, strengthening that bond of respect and understanding.”
Mr Purvis joined the British Army in 1983 and became part of the 1st Battalion, The Green Howards the following year.
His early career included a posting to Osnabrück, followed by operational tours in West Belfast and Londonderry. He spent two years in Northern Ireland during the period of ongoing security operations.
He also spent years with the King’s Division Recruiting Team supporting the recruitment of new soldiers and guiding them through the process.
Mr Purvis added: “When the aircraft come over the bay and the crowds look up together, it creates a real sense of pride and excitement that you don’t easily forget.”
Further attractions and full details of the day’s air displays will be announced in the coming weeks. As always, the programme will be packed with displays and ceremonial events.
Crowds are encouraged to come along to see standard bearers, veterans including the Chelsea pensioners, and cadets from local groups. There will be a chance to get a close up view of a Jackal – a military vehicle with a deactivated machine gun that is used by the Armed Forces and will be leading the parade.
Meanwhile, Army Cadets will be leading the flag-raising at Scarborough Town Hall on Monday, June 22, which will mark the official opening of the event.
The authority’s leader, Cllr Carl Les, added: “Scarborough Armed Forces Day is more than an event – it’s a show of unity, pride and community spirit.”
North Yorkshire has more than 12,000 people who work for the Ministry of Defence and 3,000 children from service families in schools.
Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire is one of the country’s largest military bases, and there are other barracks at Dishforth, Ripon and Topcliffe.
The county is also home to Royal Air Force stations at Leeming, Fylingdales and Menwith Hill as well as the Harrogate-based Army Foundation College.
The county was one of the first places in the UK to have an Armed Forces Covenant, ensuring military personnel and veterans have access to services across the private and public sectors.
North Yorkshire Council’s Armed Forces champion, Cllr Kevin Foster, said: “Scarborough Armed Forces Day is one of the biggest and most popular annual events in Yorkshire. The breath-taking air displays are, for many spectators, the main highlight of the day and this year’s line-up will be no exception.
“I am proud of Scarborough’s involvement in the annual day, which is an opportunity to celebrate the contribution and sacrifice of the Armed Forces present and past.”
Scarborough’s Armed Forces Day will be sponsored by the Skipton Building Society for the second year running.
More details about this year’s Scarborough Armed Forces Day can be found here.
