Recent events in Guildford town centre have highlighted the strong will and support of local officials and residents towards our serving troops and the military in general. On Monday, 23 June, there was a special flag-raising ceremony in the lead up to National Armed Forces Day. On the day itself (June 28), Guildford High Street was crammed full of hundreds of residents and visitors who had lined the streets to see troops from the 3rd Battalion Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment (3PWRR) with the Kohima Band march through the town centre.
Cllr David Elms, the Mayor of Guildford, said, “It was great to see so many local people supporting Armed Forces Day in Guildford High Street and welcoming the regiment to the town. The regiment has strong links to the region and we are proud to support our Armed Forces in Guildford.”
As well as marking Armed Forces Day, the 3PWRR Freedom Parade kicked off a programme of borough-wide activities to commemorate the centenary of WW1 which include:
- Saturday 19 July: The premiere of a new documentary ‘Guildford in the Great War’ by Circle Eight Film Group at the Electric Theatre.
- Monday 4 August: A special service of commemoration to mark the centenary of the First World War at Guildford Cathedral.
- Sunday 24 August: A commemorative paving stone laid at Tunsgate Arch in a ceremony to commemorate Captain Francis Grenfell (who was born at Hatchlands, East Clandon) exactly 100 years to the day after he was awarded a Victoria Cross for gallantry in action at Andregnies in Belgium. This is part of the nation’s programme of remembrance with commemorative paving stones in the birthplace of Victoria Cross recipients from the First World War.
- Sunday 21 September: ‘Stoughton in the Great War’, including music from the era and activities for children followed by a march with a band to Stoke Cemetery for a short remembrance service.
- Until 21 September: Two exhibitions on the First World War at Guildford Museum.
- Special commemorative WW1 flowerbeds have already been unveiled by the Mayor of Guildford and will be on display in the Castle Grounds all summer.
- Look out for more information on this shortly: ‘The Guildford Great War trail’, a new walk to explore some of the town centre’s sites that were significant in the First World War.
Guildford Borough Council are also bidding to host next year’s National event for Armed Forces Day, which would take place on 27 June 2015. The plans drawn up so far would include a special service at Guildford Cathedral, a formal parade on the High Street and a spectacular military show at Stoke Park with ‘picnic and proms in the park’.
Cllr Matt Furniss has said, “Hosting in 2015 would be particularly significant as it would be the first Armed Forces Day that coincides with the centenary commemorations of the First World War. The centenary will cause many residents to reflect on the events of the First World War and the experiences of men and women here and overseas.”
The Heroes Welcome campaign in support of British armed forces personnel is also currently being promoted around Guildford with many local businesses joining the scheme, which offers a warm welcome, discounts and service upgrades, to acknowledge our servicemen and women.