Wakefield Armed Forces Day: Honouring serving and veteran military personnel

Saturday’s event featured a parade comprised of veterans, serving personnel, cadets, and standard bearers accompanied by music from The Royal Yorkshire Regiment band.

Visitors also enjoyed a special Battle of Britain memorial flypast, with Squadron Leader Al Luckins flying Spitfire MkVb AB910, which was flown during D-Day in the Second World War.

Veterans and council representatives were delighted with the celebrations.

They included 102-year-old D-Day veteran Cyril Booth.

He said: “I come to this whenever I can with the veterans because its part of the Remembrance. It shows the appreciation of what people have given and done.

James Hingle, who served in the Household Cavalry: “I come here partly for the event and partly to remember my father who died in the war.

“It’s just a good day out to meet all the other veterans. We have all got something in common”

Wakefield Council leader Karl Johnson said: “It’s just a fantastic day. We are here to honour and celebrate the men and women who served for the armed forces.

“It’s a really good turn out and everybody is here for the right reasons. I would like to thank everybody who has come out to Pontefract Park today.”

Mayor of Wakefield Brian Moorhouse said: “It’s really important because it brings different parts of the community together.

“It’s Armed Forces Day but the people involved in it are from all walks of life.”

Rebecca Webster, the council’s cabinet member for safer stronger communities, said: “Most importantly, it gives people an opportunity to show their support for the Armed Forces and the outstanding work they do for our country.”