Support the troops at largest ever Armed Forces Day celebration in south Essex (From Southend Standard)

Support the troops at largest ever Armed Forces Day celebration in south Essex

8:00am Wednesday 6th March 2013 in News By David Trayner

SOLDIERS have called on the public to turn out in force for the largest Armed Forces Day celebration ever held in south Essex.

More than 15,000 people are expected to gather on King George V Playing Fields, Rayleigh, on Saturday, June 29, to enjoy both land and air displays.

Former servicemen and military enthusiast group Cam-o-lot will build a “mini-Camp Bastion”, modelled on the main British military base in Afghanistan, while the Army's Tigers Display Team will do a parachute jump and children can even have a go hunting for “mines” with members of the Royal Engineers’ bomb disposal team.

The Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers will bring recovery vehicles and soldiers from the Princess of Wales Regiment are expected to attend.

Dan Rogers, chairman of organiser Essex Military Support Association, said: “It’s the first time an event of this scale has been held in south Essex on Armed Forces Day.

“It’s a huge event, with military display teams.

“There is no other event in this part of the country with parachute teams jumping and military units on the ground.”

Troop Sergeant Kevin Allen, a member of 33 Engineer Regiment, 217 Field Squadron, is confident the event will be a success.

He said: “It’s something that throws the military in the limelight rather than just having soldiers standing outside a town hall.

“The interaction we will have here with the local populace gives them a chance to integrate with military personnel themselves.”