In London on 27 June, the Mayor of London Boris Johnson hosted the first ever Veterans Day event in Trafalgar Square. Defence Secretary Des Browne honoured veterans by presenting HM Armed Forces Veterans Badges and Chief of the Defence Staff Air Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup spoke with the gathering crowds.

Crowds gather in Trafalgar Square in London for Veterans Day
Picture: Harland Quarrington

Those who received their Veterans Badges in the capital demonstrated how knowledge and skills learned in the Armed Forces can be transferred to civilian employment. All were employed in the Ministry of Defence and other Government Departments. Helen Kynaston, 36, achieved the rank of Corporal (Class One) with the Royal Military Police, Provost Branch, serving in Bosnia under Operation IFOR 1, between 1995 and 1996, in Germany, Poland and at home in the UK. She said:

I was a Royal Military Policewoman for six years. I absolutely loved it. It was a great experience and it's given me experience for life and I've got friends for life as well.

I think today is a great opportunity for people to remember the people that have served for this country; it's not just about Remembrance Day, there are serving officers and serving soldiers who, when they leave the Army, people forget about, and it's good to celebrate them.

Corporal Helen Kynaston and Senior Aircraftwoman Diane Broomhead at London's Veterans Day celebrations
Picture: MOD

Diane Broomhead, 46, achieved the rank of Senior Aircraftwoman as a Dental Nurse with the RAF. She said:

"I did four-and-a-half years in the Air Force, serving in England and Germany. I think this event is very important; there's a lot of people like myself, that have perhaps only done a short amount of time in the Services, which is basically never recognised - we didn't get any campaign medals - we didn't go anywhere particularly 'hot' shall we say.

But at the end of the day people like myself are still there, we're still performing the service, we're still supporting and backing up people and I think that should be recognised.

Activites central to the Greater London Authority's Veterans Day event included the Band of the Grenadier Guards as well as other musical performances. Visitors had the opportunity to gain information on some of the support available to veterans from the ex-Service organisations.