News Archive - Armed Forces Day celebration

The first ever dedicated Thurrock Armed Forces Day celebration was held at Purfleet Heritage Centre following the adoption by Thurrock Council to have a focused Veterans Charter supporting anybody who has served in the armed forces.

Following the Armed Forces Day flag raising ceremony at Civic Offices in Grays the focus was to celebrate a wide range of individual and regimental connections with Thurrock. The Royal Gunpowder magazines at Purfleet was
a fitting start to what is hoped to be a growing local celebration to the work and commitment to the armed forces.

The Mayor of Thurrock, Cllr Yash Gupta, said: "Thurrock's strong links with the army defences of this country allow us an historic back drop of buildings such as the magazines at Purfleet and Tilbury and Coalhouse Fort's. But the important link is those who served locally, joined the armed or territorial forces. It is a celebration compared to the solemn services of the Armistice parades at local war memorials in November."

The Mayor also praised the hard work of all those volunteers and organisers for organising the Armed Forces Day for the first time in Thurrock.

Several hundred people attended the day and discovered the fantastic military collections inside Magazine No.5 and witnessed some cannon firing!

A service was held outside, attended by The Mayor of Thurrock, Cllr. Yash Gupta and MP Jackie Doyle-Price.

Next year the day will transfer to Tilbury Fort and 2014 to Coalhouse Fort.