Armed Forces Day: Thousands gather for parades across south-east amid heightened security fears

 
Announcement: Prime Minister David Cameron at the Armed Forces Day parade in Guildford, Surrey (Picture: Steve Parsons/PA Wire)
Steve Parsons/PA Wire
Ramzy Alwakeel27 June 2015

Parades to mark Armed Forces Day were today taking place across the capital amid heightened security following yesterday's deadly global terrorist attacks.

A procession in Merton, the nearest to the Woolwich barracks where Fusilier Lee Rigby was butchered by Islamist fanatics in 2013, passed without incident, while other parades saw veterans, cadets and civilians unite to show their respect.

Prime Minister David Cameron and the Duke of York were among the guests at a special ceremony at Guildford Cathedral, Surrey, which also welcomed defence secretary Michael Fallon.

The Prime Minister used the occasion to launch a plan to help veterans find work after leaving the forces.

Parade: The Armed Forces Day event in Merton, south London (Picture: Lorraine Watson)
Lorraine Watson

"Today, we celebrate our brave servicemen and women who work so hard to keep our country safe," he said. "It's only right that once they leave the Forces, we give them the support they need to find a job.

"We also have a responsibility to our reservists and the families of our military personnel for the sacrifices they make. So for the first time we will help them to find work too. And today we are also calling on the private sector to play its part – by signing up to the Armed Forces Covenant to help reservists and veterans into work."

Armed Forces Day 2015 in pictures

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The covenant is a pledge that military personnel will face no discrimination because of their service.

From October, all forces personnel will be eligible for a career transition programme aimed at helping them find a job outside the military. Trial schemes for partners and reservists will also be launched.

Mr Fallon has written to FTSE 350 companies calling on them to back the covenant, with Lloyds, JP Morgan and the AA among the 39 companies to have so far signed up.

Respect: Officers in the congregation at Guildford Cathedral (Picture: PA Wire)
Owen Cooban/PA Wire

Chris Simpkins, director general at the Royal British Legion, said: "The Royal British Legion welcomes the government's announcement, and in particular the support for service spouses and early service leavers.

"This was one of the legion's key asks in our manifesto 2015 and we are pleased that it has been acted upon.

"It is important that individuals who are leaving service are properly supported in their transition into civilian life and to compete in the jobs market.

Famous faces: The Duke of York and David Cameron at the parade for Armed Forces Day (Picture: Steve Parsons/PA Wire)
Steve Parsons/PA Wire

"This announcement will help service leavers and their spouses receive the support they deserve."

Other guests in Guildford included Vice Chief of the Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach, the Worshipful Mayor of Guildford Nikki Nelson-Smith and defence ministers Penny Mordaunt and Julian Brazier.

Scotland Yard's Deputy Assistant Commissioner Helen Ball yesterday revealed "additional security measures" would be put in place to safeguard the capital after yesterday's spate of deadly attacks.

Without incident: The parade in Merton (picture: Lorraine Watson)
Lorraine Watson

She said: "The threat to the UK from international terrorism remains at 'severe' and our security measures to protect the public are kept under constant review to ensure they are appropriate and effective.

“Our priority is to keep people safe and we continue to review our ability to prevent and respond to terrorist incidents and potential threats.

"And as we approach a weekend of large public celebrations around the country, including Armed Forces Day events and Pride London, we will be putting in place additional security measures to help protect and reassure the public."

Additional reporting by Press Association

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