An exciting weekend of free community events for the entire family is planned to celebrate Armed Forces Day.
Armed Forces Day is observed each year on the last Saturday of June to show support for the Armed Forces community, including currently serving troops, service families, reservists, veterans and cadets.
To join in on the nationwide celebrations, we’ll be flying Armed Forces Day flags from council buildings on Saturday 27 June.
A commemorative event will also be held on Tuesday 30 June to mark the anniversary of the First World War Battle of the Boar’s Head in 1916 at Richebourg-l'Avoué in France. This annual commemoration honours the memory of the 366 men of the Southdown’s battalions of The Royal Sussex Regiment who lost their lives at the battle, known in regimental history as ‘The Day that Sussex died’.
Brighton & Hove Armed Forces Day celebrations at Take Shelter
10am to 4pm, Downs Junior School, Rugby Road, Brighton BN1 6ED
A fantastic day of activities for the entire family has been planned to celebrate our Armed Forces at Downs Junior School, the home of Take Shelter World War II Museum.
You can look forward to displays and demonstrations by local Army Cadet Forces, displays of wartime music and dancing, tours of the air raid shelter, vintage and emergency vehicles and a Spitfire flyover at 3.50pm followed by a Drumhead Service at 4pm.
A total of 50 complimentary fish and chip meals will be available for current and former members of the Armed Forces. Please present your Armed Forces Veteran Card or valid identification to claim your portion.
The event is free and fully accessible, but tickets are required to tour the air raid shelter.
Learn more about the event on the Armed Forces Day website.
Spitfire flyover
3.50pm, Downs Junior School, Rugby Road, Brighton BN1 6ED
Enjoy a flyover of the legendary Spitfire fighter aircraft and listen out for the distinctive roar of its vintage engines at the Take Shelter Armed Forces Day celebrations.
Armed Forces Day concert at the bandstand
1.30pm to 3pm, Sunday 28 June
The Bandstand, King’s Road, Brighton BN1 2PQ
Join us for a special afternoon of music and remembrance at Brighton’s iconic bandstand, with a performance from the Patcham Silver Band. This meaningful event celebrates the dedication and service of our Armed Forces while offering a lively programme of classic tunes and modern favourites performed by a talented local brass band.
Along the promenade, visitors can also explore a unique historical display from the Royal Sussex Regimental Association, including a rare vintage WWII German General’s car captured in 1943.
The event is free, fully accessible and free deck chairs will be available on a first come basis around the beach level of the bandstand.
The Boar’s Head Commemoration and the rededication of Brighton War Memorial
11am, The Boar’s Head Memorial, Brighton War Memorial, Old Steine Gardens, BN1 1EN
This annual service commemorates the First World War Battle of the Boar’s Head, fought on 30 June 1916 as a diversion ahead of the Somme. Despite heavy bombardment, German defences remained intact, resulting in devastating losses for the South Downs Battalions of the Royal Sussex Regiment. With 366 men killed and over 1,000 wounded or missing many from Sussex communities the day came to be known as “The Day Sussex Died,” leaving a profound and lasting impact on our city.
The service will be led by the Archdeacon of Brighton & Lewes, The Venerable Martin Lloyd Williams, and the Mayor’s Chaplain, Reverend Tom Holbird of St Matthias Church, Fiveways with the Lord-Lieutenant of East Sussex and Mayor of Brighton & Hove in attendance.
The ceremony will also include a rededication of the Brighton War Memorial, incorporating the resetting of the Boar’s Head memorial stone and the installation of new flagpoles as part of the Valley Gardens regeneration project.
Brighton & Hove City Council has been recognised with a top Defence award for its outstanding support of the Armed Forces community.
The Gold award in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme is the highest badge of honour for employers who champion veterans, reservists, Cadet Force Adult Volunteers and military families in the workplace.
By promoting forces-friendly policies and raising awareness, we aim to be a frontrunner in the nationwide effort to understand the complex issues that can impact reservists and to provide the support needed.
Councillor Amanda Grimshaw, Armed Forces Champion for Brighton & Hove, said: “It is a true honour to set aside a day to come together and recognise the bravery and sacrifice of our Armed Forces community.
“This gives us a wonderful opportunity to show our appreciation to serving troops, service families, reservists, veterans and cadets, with a memorable weekend of activities.
We can look forward to an exciting day of family events and a wonderful concert at the bandstand, with the opportunity to meet veterans, learn about the past and explore vintage vehicles that bore witness to some of the most dramatic events in our history.
“We will also be marking the anniversary of the Battle of Boar’s Head.
“Sixty-two men from the city died in the battle - the city’s greatest loss of life in one day and scarcely a town or village in Sussex did not have men who were affected. As a consequence, it’s known in regimental history as ‘The day Sussex died’.’’
Brighton & Hove City Council has been recognised with a top Defence award for its outstanding support of the Armed Forces community.