Show your support – Armed Forces Day

On Saturday 27th June, our homes celebrated Armed Forces Day with music, laughter, and great food. This countrywide event commemorates and shows support for those who have served, are still serving, and remembers those who have not returned.

Avery are proud to have many staff members and residents who represent all sectors of service. From the Men’s and Women’s Royal Air Force, the Royal Artillery, Women’s Royal Army Corps, Royal Navy, Grenadier Guards, Royal Signals, and the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, they all have fantastic stories to share.

Residents at Acacia Lodge and Hinckley House hosted tea parties with lots of delicious treats, whilst John Matthews and John Powell from Albion Court reminisced about their time in uniform. John Matthews served in the Royal Marines, visiting Hong Kong and Borneo, and was very proud of his green beret; he especially enjoyed ceremonial events where they dressed in white uniforms and looked very smart. John Powell was an Army driving instructor and spent time in Aiden and Libya. He instructed all grades of staff in the Army, teaching them to drive amphibian vehicles, but was forced to stand down after five years after a motorcycle accident. Both men said it was important to hold Armed Forces Day to remember their colleagues who had fallen. Beverley Aldridge, Home Manager of Albion Court, said, “Our residents always enjoy Armed Forces Day and our staff like listening to the residents’ stories about their time in the services.”

Former service personnel in the staff and residents at Crispin Court all agreed that Armed Forces Day is a wonderful tradition, as it allows the country to celebrate the diverse work that is carried out by our servicemen and women. Ken Lunn, a resident from Crispin Court, who served with the Royal Artillery, agrees, “It’s a significant boost of morale to all serving personnel, as it shows the individual gratitude and support from members of the public.”