National Armed Forces Day 2010
The city of Cardiff was the venue for this year’s Armed Forces Day national event. The sun shone and the crowds turned out in their thousands to pay tribute to the country’s servicemen and women at Armed Forces Day on 26 June 2010.
The national event was held in the picturesque setting of Cardiff Bay and the South Wales Branch of the Western Front Association took over the Pier Head building to stage an exhibition of militaria, ephemera and collectables from the First World War.
The day-long celebrations were held in the picturesque setting of Cardiff Bay and began with a Military Parade from the castle, through the city and on to the city’s waterfront, where a range of events, activities and artistic performances were staged on land, sea and in the air. The Parade will be led by TRH the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall.
As part of the celebrations, the South Wales Branch of the Western Front Association took over the Pier Head building to stage an exhibition of militaria, ephemera and collectables from the First World War.
Organiser Dr Jonathan Hicks said, “The items on display were from our own personal collections and it was a great opportunity for us to meet the public, talk about the items and discuss the Great War in general. We were also able to offer an on-line research service for people interested in knowing what their relatives did during the conflict. We were busy throughout the day and it showed how fascinated people are by the First World War.
“We also had a power-point presentation on the history of the war running on giant screens and one of our members, Gavin Davies, gave three illustrated talks on Mametz Wood, Messines and 1918 to large audiences.
“It is important to spread the word about the WFA at events such as this as well as attempting to educate the public by dispelling a few myths about the Great War. I was also pleased to hear how many people have visited the battlefields of the Western Front.”
Lord Mayor of Cardiff, Councillor Keith Hyde, said: “Cardiff is proud to host this year’s Armed Forces Day, giving the people of Wales and the many visitors expected in the capital the opportunity to add our voice to some of the country’s best known celebrities in honouring our Armed Forces.”
