Veterans honoured to mark forces day in Bognor

The 15 individuals were presented with the Veteran's Badges as part of the first national armed forces day.

They included former naval chief petty officer Bob Stubbs. The 63-year-old from The Precinct in West Meads was a sailor between 1964 and 1971.

He also served in the Royal Navy Auxiliary Service from 1978 until 1994.

He said: "Receiving the badge is a matter of pride that you were involved in defending your country in whatever capacity it was.

"There's a real feeling of camaraderie in the forces and of working in a team as one."

The presentations were made by Bognor Regis and Littlehampton

MP Nick Gibb in the Bognor Royal Air Forces Association club in Waterloo Square.

Mr Gibb said: "An event like this makes it clear to the current

generation of soldiers we understand the dangers and sacrifices they are making on our behalf.

"It also shows we will not forget what those who served in the likes of the Korean War and in Northern Ireland have done on our behalf."

The RAFA Club was the focal point for Bognor's celebrations of armed forces day last Saturday.

A range of service organisations were present. They included a

presence of cadets from all three armed forces.

RAFA branch chairman Frank Hull said: "The event is as much about the future of the services as it is about the present and the past.

"We were looking for more cohesion among the different groups. We get together on an occasion like Remembrance Sunday, but that's about it.

"We wanted to heighten the profile of all three armed services among the public so they realise what they are doing for this country.

"When you think of a town like Bognor, there will be a lot of people who have relatives in the armed forces or know someone who is

serving or has served in them."

As well as the celebration event, a veterans' church service was held the previous Sunday at the Salvation Army's The Hub centre.

Led by Lt Peter Clark, of the Salvation Army, some 80 people attended. Among those who gave the readings were Bognor town mayor Eileen Anderson and Mr Hull.

It was a followed by a special Folk on the Coast night in the Regis Centre last Friday with an emphasis on the forces.

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