The Blandford branch of the Royal British Legion gathered at Legion House in Church Lane on Armed Forces Day for a Drumhead service and dedication of a new standard for the Royal Signals Association, which meets in the building.

Plans for displays and exhibitions on the day had to be cancelled in view of the continued restrictions announced on June 14, but the service and raising of the Armed Forces Day flag went ahead in front of a large but social distanced audience in the garden and on the roadside.

The service was conducted by Dorset county RBL Chaplain the Rev Dennis Mould, and those attending were welcomed by Blandford branch president Gyan Tamang. They include Mayor of Blandford Councillor Lee Hitchings, who said that on Monday June 21, Blandford Town Council – in addition to raising the Armed Forces Day flag – had signed the Armed Forces Covenant, further strengthening the town’s already strong connections between the town and military at Blandford Camp.

He said: “This day is so important to so many people, and I am pleased we have been able to meet, despite the restrictions, to give thanks for what the Armed Forces do for this country.”

Taking part in the ceremony were branch chairman Terry Clarkson, Tony Lucas, Branch Standard and Marie Parsons, RBL Women’s Section Standard and other standard bearers from across the county, the Royal Signals Army Cadet Force detachment based in Blandford whose members were presented with Poppy Badges by Mr Tamang, trumpeter Geordie Thomson, who played the Last Post and Reveille, and piper Lyndon Wall.

Following its dedication, the Royal Signals Association standard was raised by branch poppy appeal organiser Robert Taylor. The ceremony followed a small memorial service at the Cross of Sacrifice in Blandford Cemetery on Sunday, June 13 for the late Prince Philip on the closest date possible to what would have been his 100th birthday, and on June 6 a sponsored walk on the Milldown for the Poppy Appeal.

The date coincided with the anniversary of D-Day, when members of the Blandford Armed Forces Veterans Breakfast Club walked to Tarrant Rushton airfield to lay a wreath, and were delighted to find there Penny Howard Bates, the daughter of Major John Howard, who led the glider- borne assault that captured the Caen canal and Orne river bridges.

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