Armed forces celebratory and commemorative events
There are a variety of events throughout the year and across the county celebrating Kent’s military heritage and commemorating the service of men and women in our armed forces throughout history.
To mark 100 years since the start of World War 1, a timeline of Kent's residents' first-hand experiences in the First World War was created by volunteers using the archives at the Kent History and Archive Centre.
The Step Short Memorial, a memorial arch in Folkestone, was opened by Prince Harry in 2014 to remember the millions of men who passed through the Harbour on their way to battle.
Events calendar 2019
If you know a significant event that is missing, contact civic.office@kent.gov.uk.
| Date | Time | Event | Type of event | Address | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Each Monday (Except bank holidays) | 9am - 11.30am | Armed forces veterans breakfast club | Public | The Courtyard Restaurant, Brogdale Farm, Brogdale Road, Faversham ME13 8XZ | Bob Giles 01795 530013 courtyardbrogdale@outlook.com |
| 6 June | 10:50am | D-Day | Public | The Vine War Memorial, Dartford Road, Sevenoaks TN13 | Ann White/ Avril Mitchem 01732 459953 council@sevenoakstown.gov.uk |
| 6 June | 11am | D-Day | Public | Garden of Remembrance, Sandgate Road, Folkestone | Toni Brenchley toni.brenchley@folkestone-tc.gov.uk |
| 11 June | 10am | Recognise and Remember subgroup | Private | Wantsum Room, Sessions House | Alice McLean alice.mclean@kent.gov.uk |
| 15 June | 1pm | RBL Funday and BBQ remembering the 75th anniversary of D-Day and Armed Forces Day | Public | Chart Sutton Memorial Playing Field, Maidstone ME17 3RS | Mike Fitzgerald mikefitzgerald2018@outlook.com |
| 24 June | 10:15am | Chairman of Kent County Council’s Armed Forces Flag Raising Ceremony | Public | County Hall Square, Maidstone | KCC Civic Office Civic.office@kent.gov.uk |
| 25 June | 6pm | Chairman of Kent County Council’s Armed Forces Covenant Event | Invitation only | Sessions House, County Road, Maidstone | KCC Civic Office Civic.office@kent.gov.uk |
| 28 June | 7pm | Armed Forces Celebration Concert | Public | The Canterbury Academy, Knights Avenue, Canterbury CT2 8QA | Eric Hearn 07802 610686 hearjen@outlook.com |
| 29 June | 10am - 4pm | Armed forces event day | Public | Brogdale Farm, Brogdale Road, Faversham, ME13 8XZ | Bob Giles skyguy3929@yahoo.com |
| 29 June | 10am - 4pm | Armed forces event day | Public | Vine Gardens, Sevenoaks TN13 3UH | Ann White/ Michele MacDonald 01732 459953 council@sevenoakstown.gov.uk |
| 30 June | tbc | AFD Folkestone | Public | to be confirmed | Vicky Deakin vicky.deakin@folkestone-tc.gov.uk |
| Date | Time | Event | Type of event | Address | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 July | 11am | Canada Day | Public | Shorncliffe Military Cemetery, Folkestone | Toni Brenchley toni.brenchley@folkestone-tc.gov.uk |
| Each Monday (Except bank holidays) | 9am - 11.30am | Armed forces veterans breakfast club | Public | The Courtyard Restaurant, Brogdale Farm, Brogdale Road, Faversham ME13 8XZ | Bob Giles 01795 530013 courtyardbrogdale@outlook.com |
| Date | Time | Event | Type of event | Address | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Each Monday (Except bank holidays) | 9am - 11.30am | Armed forces veterans breakfast club | Public | The Courtyard Restaurant, Brogdale Farm, Brogdale Road, Faversham ME13 8XZ | Bob Giles 01795 530013 |
| 15 August | 11am | VJ Day | Public | Garden of Remembrance, Sandgate Road, Folkestone | Toni Brenchley toni.brenchley@folkestone-tc.gov.uk |
| Date | Time | Event | Type of event | Address | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Each Monday (Except bank holidays) | 9am - 11.30am | Armed forces veterans breakfast club | Public | The Courtyard Restaurant, Brogdale Farm, Brogdale Road, Faversham ME13 8XZ | Bob Giles 01795 530013 |
| 15 September | 5:45pm | Battle of Britain Day | Public | The RAF Memorial, The Leas, Folkestone | Toni Brenchley toni.brenchley@folkestone-tc.gov.uk |
| Date | Time | Event | Type of event | Address | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Each Monday (Except bank holidays) | 9am - 11.30am | Armed forces veterans breakfast club | Public | The Courtyard Restaurant, Brogdale Farm, Brogdale Road, Faversham ME13 8XZ | Bob Giles 01795 530013 |
| 15 October | 10am | Recognise and Remember sub group | Private | Wantsum Room, Sessions House | Alice McLean alice.mclean@kent.gov.uk |
| 29 October | 10am | Kent and Medway Civilian Military Partnership Board Meeting | Private | The Oak Room, Oakwood House, Maidstone | Alice McLean alice.mclean@kent.gov.uk |
| Date | Time | Event | Type of event | Address | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 November | 2pm | Dedication of Garden of Remembrance | Public | Garden of Remembrance, Sandgate Road, Folkestone | Toni Brenchley toni.brenchley@folkestone-tc.gov.uk |
Each Monday (Except bank holidays) | 9am - 11.30am | Armed forces veterans breakfast club | Public | The Courtyard Restaurant, Brogdale Farm, Brogdale Road, Faversham ME13 8XZ | Bob Giles 01795 530013 |
| 10 November | 10:30am | Remembrance Sunday | Public | The War Memorial, The Leas, Folkestone | Toni Brenchley toni.brenchley@folkestone-tc.gov.uk |
| 10 November | 10:45am | Sevenoaks Remembrance Day Service | Public | The Vine War Memorial, Dartford Road, Sevenoaks TN13 | Ann White / Avril Mitchem council@sevenoakstown.gov.uk |
| 11 November | 11am | Machine Gun Corps | Public | Cheriton Road Cemetery, Folkestone | Trevor Mays truckintrev@live.co.uk |
| Date | Time | Event | Type of event | Address | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Each Monday (Except bank holidays) | 9am - 11.30am | Armed forces veterans breakfast club | Public | The Courtyard Restaurant, Brogdale Farm, Brogdale Road, Faversham ME13 8XZ | Bob Giles 01795 530013 |