THOUSANDS of people turned out to recognise the work of the armed forces.

The Highlight of the weekend’s Armed Forces Day events was a spectacular aerial display by the Red Arrows in Scarborough on Saturday.

About 30,000 people attended the show, which included performances by the Band of the Yorkshire Volunters, a display from RAF Typhoons, and the RAF Battle of Britain flypast, including a Spitfire, Hurricane and a Lancaster Bomber.

Scarborough-born George Wilson, 92, was presented with the Armed Forces Flag in recognition of his service during the Second World War, where he helped organise the evacuation at Dunkirk with the 5th Green Howards.

In High Ousegate, on York, on Saturday, retired soldiers David Dell and Richard Randall raised money to help army veterans struggling adapting to civilian life.

Mr Dell said: “About 20 per cent of people sleeping rough in Britain are all ex-forces. They have trouble adjusting to life civilian life, especially after being abroad, seeing what they have seen, and when you get an addiction, you tend to isolate yourself and once you’re out of the loop you fall out of the system, and the only place to go is the streets.

“It’s a sad tale, but it happens. Armed Forces weekend is a good time to get out and raise awareness and funds, but we’re out all the time collecting for them.”

In York yesterday thousands of people watched members of 4 Yorkshire Regiment and 34 Field Hospital demonstrate their skills.

Corporal Emma Hey, of 34 Field Hospital, Queen Alexanria’s Royal Nursing Corp, said: “The kids have been very intrigued because they aren’t used to seeing blood and that kind of thing, but we thought they might be a bit more squeamish.”

Former Merchant Seaman Ray Ashby, 86, of Beckfield Lane, said: “The young lads who are fighting now are just doing what we did a long time ago, in different places, but similar situations.”

York Press: At the Carlton Tavern’s Armed Forces Day event on Saturday are Amanda Harrison, left, with Iggle Piggle (Stephanie Harrison) and Mark Corner and some of their little helpers
At the Carlton Tavern’s Armed Forces Day event on Saturday are Amanda Harrison, left, with Iggle Piggle (Stephanie Harrison) and Mark Corner and some of their little helpers

York Press: Evie Storey, left, and Delta Anglesmith
at the Armed Forces Day event in Parliament Street, York
Evie Storey, left, and Delta Anglesmith at the Armed Forces Day event in Parliament Street, York