Hartlepool turns out in force as town marks Armed Forces Day

The town held its Armed Forces Day parade on Saturday to honour servicemen and women both past and present.

Veterans and respresentatives from the Army, Navy and Airforce were there to mark the occasion and the younger generation was represented by cadets in the town.

The Heugh Battery was the focal point of the day, which not only commemorated Armed Forces Day, but also incorporated Headland Heritage Day.

Organised by the Hartlepool Armed Forces Liaison Group and the Hartlepool Headland Local History Group, with support from Hartlepool Borough Council, the day offered a host of family friendly attractions.

The event was attended by town dignitaries, including MP Mike Hill, and following the parade there was a speech by the Lord Lieutenant of County Durham, Sue Snowdon.

She paid tribute to everyone who served and is serving now and said it was a huge honour to be asked to join the ceremony.

Ms Snowdon said: “The nation owes a great debt of gratitude to all men and women of the armed forces.

“Today, our armed forces continue to work selflessly with honour and distinction.

“We gather here today to recognise and pay tribute to the armed forces.”

Those taking part in the parade included the 3rd Battalion The Rifles, cadets, the Ex-Servicemen’s Associations and an Air Cadet band.

In honour of the RAF centenary the Heugh Battery gun was fired on the day.

Following the parade and speeches, families went on to enjoy a fun fair, a variety of stalls, face painting and historic re-enactments.

There was also a climbing wall and a miniature assault course manned by the cadets, as well as displays from all three of the armed forces both past and present.