A Crowd of between 70 and 80 thousands people from across the country descended on Cardiff today to celebrate Armed Forces Day, with the capital of Wales being the proud UK national host for 2010.
The event was the second of its kind to be held in the UK and was the first time Wales had played host.
TRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall attended the event and led the nation’s support for the Armed Forces.
Also in attendance at the Cardiff event were the Lord Mayor of Cardiff, Cllr Keith Hyde, Cardiff Council Leader, Cllr Rodney Berman, Defence Secretary Liam Fox, Chief of the Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup and the First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones.
The day’s celebrations began with a parade across the city, made up of service men and women from the Royal Navy, Army and Air Force. Marching from Cardiff Castle through the city, where the route was lined with well-wishers waving Armed Forces Day flags.
At Cardiff Bay, crowds gathered to cheer on the parade as they entered Roald Dahl Plass and to attend the Drumhead service.
The bay was also centre stage for the afternoon activities, where a jam-packed afternoon of events took place including fly-pasts by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and Red Arrows, military displays and a dynamic air display. Royal Navy frigate HMS Kent also welcomed hundreds of people on board.
Lord of Mayor of Cardiff, Cllr Keith Hyde, said: “We have had a fantastic day today, and we are very proud to have been given the opportunity to be the host nation for the 2010 Armed Forces Day.
“I would like to thank everyone who attended and showed their support for the brave men and women of the Armed Forces.”
Cardiff Council Leader, Rodney Berman, said: “Once again Cardiff has delivered a top event of which Wales and indeed the UK can be proud. I think everyone would agree that today has been a fantastic occasion and everyone who attended has enjoyed the day.
“The people of Cardiff and Wales as a whole have once again provided a warm Welsh welcome to the visitors who attended today and I am hopeful that they will return here.
“I would like to thank everyone who has been involved in the planning of this event and all those who took part in the day’s activities. Finally I would like to wish the 2011 Armed Forces Day hosts, Edinburgh, good luck with nexy years event.”
Secretary of State for Defence, Dr Liam Fox said: “As a nation, we have a duty to support our Armed Forces for all they do for us. Members of the Armed Forces, both past and present, have made great sacrifices in the name of our country; but these men and women do not ask for sympathy, they ask for your support. That’s why on Armed Forces Day, we need to give our Armed Forces a collective round of applause.”
Petty Officer, Sue Thomas, from Cardiff, based at HMS CAMBRIA in Sully, marched with her daughter, Sea Cadet Cerys Thomas, 13
Sue said: “It was a proud day for all the family to be talking part in such a fantastic event. I am delighted to have represented the Royal Navy at Armed Forces Day 2010.”
The Parade was made up of:
ROYAL NAVY
The Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Commando
Training Centre Lympstone
A Guard from HMS Kent
A Guard from HMS Monmouth
A Platoon from HMS Cambria
A Platoon from HMS Dragon
A Platoon from Wales University Royal Naval Unit
A Platoon from Royal Marine Reserve Bristol Cardiff detachment
ARMY
Regular Contingent
1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards
1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards Sponsored Bike Ride
39th Regiment Royal Artillery
1st Battalion The Welsh Guards
1st Battalion The Royal Welsh (The Royal Welch Fusiliers)
2nd Battalion The Royal Welsh (The Royal Regiment of Wales)
Gurkha Company (Mandalay).
Territorial Army Contingent
Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers (Militia)
104th Regiment Royal Artillery (Volunteers)
3rd Battalion The Royal Welsh
Welsh Transport Regiment The Royal Logistic Corps (Volunteers)
203 (Welsh) Field Hospital (Volunteers).
53 (Welsh) Signal Squadron (Volunteers)
Wales Universities’ Officer Training Corp
The Regimental Band and Corps of Drums of The Royal Welsh
ROYAL AIR FORCE
The RAF Queens Colour Squadron
The RAF No.4 School of Technical Training, MOD St Athan
The Central Band of the RAF
THE CADET FORCES
The Regimental Band of Gwent and Powys Army Cadet Force
Sea Cadet Corp
Army Cadet Force
Combined Cadet Force
VETERANS
SAMA82 (The Falklands War)
The Aden Veterans Association
Queens Alexandra Royal Nursing Corps
Royal British Legion Riders
