This year’s Medway Armed Forces Day is being held at the Great Lines Heritage Park in Gillingham.

Veterans and serving personnel will kick off proceedings with a military parade, and there will also be a traditional drumhead service – a church service conducted “in the field”.

Visitors can look at displays of historic military vehicles in the park, where there will also be a selection of stalls and activities, live music and a fun fair.

Arena events will be held throughout the day, including displays of sapper activities presented by the Royal School of Military Engineering.

The event will come to a climax with a patriotic musical finale.

Glenn Scarborough, chairman of the Medway branch of the Royal Engineers’ Association, said the day served as an important reunion and an opportunity to recruit members.

He said: “All too often, associations like ours have this image of a lot of old people drinking beer and playing bingo. But with the conflicts in recent years, we have younger members.

"We have people ranging from the mid-20s to 90, and that has made us become stronger and more active as an association.”

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Armed Forces Day events around the county

Ashford

A celebration will take place in the High Street, with a military vehicle display and live music on the bandstand. The event is supported by the Gurkha community, local cadet groups and the Royal British Legion.
Where: Ashford High Street
When: 9am to 4pm on Saturday, June 29

Dartford

Visitors can try their hand at activities including archery, shooting, a bungee run and a bouncy assault course. There will also be a tug of war and face painting available. Live music will be performed throughout the day, and there will be a host of stalls to browse.
Where: The Ship Inn, Dartford
When: Noon to 11pm on Saturday, June 29

Folkestone

Live music and dance performances will be held on the town’s bandstand. There will also be free children’s activities including puppetry, demonstrations of field craft by cadets and a tug of war.
Where: Leas Bandstand, Folkestone
When: Noon to 4pm on Saturday, June 29

Maidstone

Members of the security team at Fremlin Walk will be taking part in various challenges to raise money for Armed Forces Day, which will include one guard shaving off the moustache he has sported for the past 39 years.
Where: Fremlin Walk Shopping Centre, Maidstone
When: 10am to 4pm on Saturday, June 29

Whitstable

The event will start at 9.15am with a parade by veterans and cadets from Whitstable Castle to the Tankerton flag pole, where a salute will be taken. A family fun day is then taking place on Tankerton Slopes featuring craft stalls, entertainment and a variety of refreshments. The day will be brought to a close with a special balloon release at 3.30pm.
Where: Tankerton Slopes, Whitstable
When: 10am to 4pm on Saturday, June 29