The Royal Navy celebrates Armed Forces Day in Portsmouth

Personnel from Her Majesty’s Naval Base Portsmouth joined together with the people of Portsmouth to celebrate Armed Forces Day on 30th June, on Southsea Common.

The Armed Forces Day flag was raised to signal the start of the day’s festivities with all three services and veterans represented.

Regular, Reserves, Cadets and Veterans marched from the D-Day museum in Southsea to Southsea Common where personnel from HM Naval Base Portsmouth formed the guard of honour, led by the Royal Marine Band Portsmouth.

The Portsmouth Naval Base Commander, Commodore Jim Higham OBE ADC RN said: “The turn out here today at Portsmouth Armed Forces Day is a true testament to how integral the Armed Forces, and in particular the Royal Navy, is to Portsmouth and the wider Hampshire area.

“I’m proud to see our personnel from the Portsmouth area playing such a big part in today’s celebrations. It is both a pleasure and an honour for myself personally to be here to represent HMNB Portsmouth at Armed Forces Day in Southsea.”

Also on parade were the Rose and Thistle Pipe Band, leading a contingent of local Veterans and members of the Royal British Legion Riders Branch.

Other displays and demonstrations included performances from the Military Wives Choir, Search and Rescue Hovercraft display, Military vehicles, HMS Collingwood Volunteer Band and Fort Guard gun firing.

This national Armed Forces Day event is held annually that helps raise public awareness of the military and gives the local communities the opportunity to show their support for the Armed Forces.

Showing support for the Armed Forces provides a much valued morale boost for personnel, their families and support networks.