Britain’s top soldier is urging the people of Kent to demonstrate their support for the armed forces at a parade and thanksgiving service in Canterbury.

Thousands are expected to join in celebrating what is Kent’s major event of the Territorial Army’s centenary year on Saturday.

Serving and former TA soldiers and veterans from all volunteer reserves and regular armed forces from across the county will be taking part.

Kent’s celebration of TA 100 promises to be one of the biggest nationwide – and the Chief of the General Staff, Gen Sir Richard Dannatt, will be there to take the salute.

• The Territorial Army through the ages - see our potted history and picture gallery.

He said: “It is a great honour to be asked to take the salute at the parade in Canterbury and to read the lesson at the thanksgiving service in the Cathedral on what will be a very special occasion.

“As a nation, we ask a great deal from our servicemen and women – often in extremely demanding operational environments.

“The Army cannot be sustained without the support of the nation and we would rapidly wither if we lost that support.

“For our soldiers to know that they are well supported at home means a great deal to them and encourages them to march 10ft tall.”

Led by the band of the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment, and with colours and old comrades’ standards flying, detachments from TA units based in Canterbury and elsewhere across Kent will march through the city centre.

Joining them will be hundreds of veterans – some in their 90s – and cadets.

The Cathedral will be packed for the ticket-only thanksgiving service paying tribute to the contribution and sacrifice made by Territorials and their comrades over the past century.

The Lord Lieutenant, Allan Willett, whose initiative this was, is also appealing to the public to honour the marchers.

He said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for the people of Kent to enjoy the greatest spectacle of its kind for years and at the same time demonstrate their support for all the forces of the crown – past and present. I hope that many thousands will come along and line the route.”

Among those attending is L Cpl Johnson Beharry, of PWRR, who won the Victoria Cross for valour saving comrades in Iraq even though he was badly wounded.

Find out why Johnson Beharry is one of the bravest men alive.

After the parade a collection will be taken in the Longmarket area for Help for Heroes –Support for Our Wounded.

• Entry to the Cathedral service is by ticket only and very few places are left.

Veterans can apply by phoning 01227 738800 or emailing Kentta100@allanwillett.org

• Anyone unable to get a ticket will be able to hear the service via a public address system if they are in the Precincts by 11.45am.

• Veterans who wish to join the march and have not already registered can do so now – or report to the Pound Lane car park by 9.30am on September 6. The parade will march off at 10.45am.

• The Pound Lane and Queningate car parks will be closed to the public on September 6.