Richard Harker

On Monday 22 June at 10.30am, Leeds  joined hundreds of councils throughout the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man in raising a unique flag to support Britain’s first ever Armed Forces Day.

Flags will be flown the length and breadth of the country from the Shetland Islands to Land’s End and from Lowestoft (England’s most easterly point) to the Scilly Isles. The specially designed flags, based on the Union Jack, will be raised at 10.30am on Monday 22 June, in ceremonies across the country.  This marks the beginning of a week of events leading up to Armed Forces Day on Saturday 27 June.In addition to more than 450 local authorities, over 3000 members of the public, businesses and schools will also fly official Armed Forces Day flags to join the celebrations to honour Britain’s Armed Forces - past, present and future.

Armed Forces Day flags will also be flown where British Servicemen and women are serving overseas, including in Afghanistan, Iraq, Cyprus, Germany, Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands.

Councillor  Brenda Lancaster, who has been working with Leeds Veterens and was in Normandy for the D Day celebrations, commented:

“It is important that veterans and serving members of the armed forces are aware of the  gratitude and admiration of Leeds people for all that they have done and continue to do for people across the world.

“Leeds as a city is proud to fly this flag in support of all our armed forces – past, present and future.”

An event to celebrate Armed Forces Day in Leeds will take place on Saturday, 27 June at Leeds Town Hall, 1 – 6pm.