Armed Forces Day 2019 will be held in Salisbury, a city steeped in military history. The event, which will be the eleventh Armed Forces Day, will be hosted by Wiltshire County Council with support from the Ministry of Defence
Salisbury has many links with the military. Following the nerve agent attack in the city in March 2018, military teams worked tirelessly, alongside the emergency services, to support the recovery of the city. It is also home to many Army bases including Bulford Camp, Tidworth Camp and Salisbury Plain, one of the UK’s biggest military training areas.
Events are to be held across the UK to mark Armed Forces Day, as well as the national event in Salisbury.
Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said:
Salisbury was a natural choice to host Armed Forces Day in 2019.
The city has a historic link with our Armed Forces and our troops demonstrated once again their bravery, dedication and skill during the central role they played following the reckless nerve agent attack here this year.
Our extraordinary service men and women continue to help Salisbury and the people of this beautiful cathedral city through the clear up and investigation, and it’s extremely fitting that next year the city and the entire nation will be able to thank them here for their commitment and unwavering service to protecting our nation from the deadliest of threats.
Baroness Scott of Bybrook OBE, leader of Wiltshire Council, said:
I am absolutely delighted that Salisbury has been selected to host the Armed Forces Day national event next year. Wiltshire is proud to be a military county and the armed forces and their families make up a significant proportion of Wiltshire’s population. This is a fantastic opportunity, on behalf of the whole country, to recognise and celebrate what they do.
It will also be an opportunity to all say thank you for the work they have undertaken in Salisbury to ensure that the city is safe and can return to normal.
The event is the national focal point for celebrations and recognises the hard work and sacrifice of those that serve this country.
During recent months in Salisbury, we have seen how strong the links are between the city and our armed forces community. To be selected to host the national event in 2019 is a wonderful way to thank our service men and women for their contribution and for the job they do to keep us all safe.
More details on the programme of events will be revealed in the coming months.
Every year, the Armed Forces Day National Event puts the host town or city in the spotlight, gathering national media and public interest. Along with the announcement of Salisbury as the National Event hosts for 2019, it has also been confirmed that Scarborough has been selected as the event hosts for 2020.
Bids for the 2021 Armed Forces Day National Event will be invited from 1 December 2019 until 15 March 2020. Please email armedforcesday-events@mod.gov.uk nearer this time for the latest guidance on how to apply.