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National Service Day 2018

National Memorial Arboretum, Croxall Road, Alrewas, Staffordshire DE13 7AR

Open 10am, Sunday 24th June 2018 with Service of Remembrance at 2pm

National Service Day at the National Memorial Arboretum is a wonderful opportunity to meet comrades and reminisce. The Service of Remembrance includes a parade of veterans and standards and Laying of the Wreaths with an Address by Rear Admiral J Lippiett. The Band is the Burton on Trent Salvation Army Band with Musical Director Peter Dukes. This special service offers a poignant moment to pause and reflect.

National Service Day is a day in the British military calendar for ex-service men and women, from all branches of the Armed Forces, to come together and share their experiences. The day is open to all and is always a warm, welcoming atmosphere. 

Apply for the National Service Medal

View National Service Sale

Armed Forces Day is an opportunity to show your support for the men and women of the Armed Forces, including those currently serving veterans and cadets. This year the National Event is to be held in Llandudno in Conwy but there are hundreds of wide ranging events across the country. Visit: armedforcesday.org.uk/find-events/

On 2 June 2018 HM Queen Elizabeth will commemorate 65 years since her coronation. The Queen witnessed her father’s coronation in 1937 and this year marks 65 years since her own coronation on 2 June 1953; making it a particularly poignant and remarkable moment in royal history. This momentous day would officially mark the beginning of the longest reign in our history. and to mark this special moment in British history. AWARD is proud to announce the striking of the Queen Elizabeth II 65th Anniversary Coronation Commemorative medal.

Bomber Command

RAF Bomber Command was formed in 1935 and really came under direction and influence when Air Marshal Arthur 'Bomber' Harris was appointed Commander in Chief in 1942. Under his direction, Bomber Command became a force to be reckoned with during the Second World War which significantly influenced the final outcome and Victory in Europe with raids such as the 'thousand bomb raid' in Cologne, Dam Busters and helped pave the way for the D-Day landings.

We were delighted that the driving force behind the concept of a commemorative medal for members of Bomber Command was the RAF columnist and author, Alan Cooper, who has long supported the view that veterans of this branch of the service have received inadequate medallic reward for their courage and skill during WWII. Since the striking of the first RAF Bomber Command Medal by Lady Harris and the late Air Vice Marshal D.C.T. Bennett CB, DSO, FRAeS, in April 1985, thousands of Bomber Command WW2 veterans from all over the world have applied for and received their medal.The medal is a tribute to the bravery of those who flew and to the dedication and skill of the ground crew whose contribution was so very essential.