Hampshire’s armed forces have been honoured in Winchester, marking the start of Armed Forces Week. 

A platoon of Royal Navy personnel paraded along Castle Avenue to the Great Hall on Monday June 19. 

The parade was inspected by the Vice Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, Colonel Charles Ackroyd, followed by the raising of the armed forces flag.

Hampshire Chronicle: Flag bearers provided by the Royal British Legion

Colonel Ackroyd said: “On behalf of HM Lord-Lieutenant, it is a privilege to pay tribute to the commitment and dedication of our military personnel, veterans, and their families. Hampshire is home to a large armed forces community of more than 20,000 military personnel, of whom we are very proud. We offer our sincere gratitude for their service and sacrifice, and we have raised the armed forces flag today as a symbol of our respect for them, and all that they do for our country.”

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The flag was blessed by The Reverend Canon Dr Roland Riem, before being raised by one of the Lord Lieutenant’s cadets. The Hampshire County Council fanfare was played by the principal cornet player of the Hampshire Youth Band.

Hampshire Chronicle: The Vice Lord-Lieutenant takes the salute from the parade

Also accompanying Colonel Ackroyd was county council chairman Cllr Patricia Stallard, leader Cllr Rob Humby and the authority’s armed forces champion Cllr Andrew Joy.

They were joined by Commodore John Voyce, HM Naval Base Commander at Portsmouth, Commander Julian Gazzard from HM Naval Base and Captain Mark Hardwick from Worthy Down; as well as Lieutenant Colonel Fraser Dowling of the British Army at Worthy Down; and Group Captain Donal McGurk of the Royal Air Force at RAF Odiham.

Senior representatives from the emergency services, Winchester City Council and Winchester Crown Court also joined Colonel Ackroyd on the steps, along with the Mayor of Winchester Cllr Angela Clear and High Sheriff of Hampshire Amelia Riviere. 

Hampshire Chronicle: The Vice Lord-Lieutenant inspects the parade

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Councillor Joy said: “This wonderful event to mark the start of Armed Forces Week is a chance for people to show their support for the men and women of the forces, past and present. 

Hampshire Chronicle: The Royal Navy marches into the Great Hall

“I wish to thank everyone who turned out to watch the parade today in showing their appreciation and respect for our armed forces. Hampshire County Council places enormous value on its long and close relationship with its armed forces community, including regulars, reservists, veterans and their families, and we have always taken our duty to the particular needs of this community very seriously. We look forward to continuing this commitment and active support for the armed forces with the signing of an updated armed forces covenant later this year.”