'Armed Forces Day is important to celebrate'

Rosie Clarke said she had enjoyed chatting to people about her grandad's experience of serving

Veterans and family members of those who have served in the military say it's "important to celebrate" those who have given their service.

Armed Forces Day is held on the last Saturday of June as a "chance to say thank you to the brave men and women who have pledged to defend our nation," SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, said.

People gathered at the Veterans' Café event at Ghyll Royd Care Home, Guiseley, on Wednesday to chat over cake and tea and mark Armed Forces Week.

Mark Sugrue, from Ilkley, who attended the event, said it was an opportunity to share his experiences of serving with the Royal Air Force Police.

More than 180 events are taking place across the UK this year, according to the Ministry of Defence.

Mark Sugrue spent the day reminiscing about his service

Mr Sugrue said: "I've been sent out to Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Iraq, Rio De Janeiro, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Singapore, so it was a good time.

"Thinking back, certainly there were high points and quite a few low points, but they are outweighed by the high points and camaraderie."

He added: "We always say, it is not where you are, but who you are with that matters."

Colour Sgt Rosie Clarke, from the Keighley Royal Marine cadets, said she enjoyed chatting to "a lovely bunch of ladies" who spoke about their experiences of taking in evacuees during World War Two.

"We went down memory lane of how my grandad, who served in North Africa and Burma, never collected his war medals," she said.

"I started the cadets when I was 12 and on my first Remembrance Day my grandma had his medals delivered as a present for me."

She continued: "I had the privilege of wearing his medals on my first Remembrance Day."

The event was held at Ghyll Royd Care Home in Guiseley, on Wednesday

"I think it's important we celebrate Armed Forces Day as it commemorates all of those who are old and young who have served over the years," she added.

Philippa Young, operations manager for Spellman Care, who are hosting Veterans' Café events around West Yorkshire, said the event was a "great opportunity to bring everybody together".

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