There is a poem by Rudyard Kipling which demonstrates the mercurial public attitude towards our soldiers because in times of relative peace we fail to recognise their worth or the debt we owe them.

O it’s Tommy this, an’ Tommy that, an’ “Tommy, go away”;
But it’s “Thank you, Mister Atkins, when the band begins to play.”

The defence of the realm is one of the primary duties of government and this cannot be done without maintaining the armed forces but unfortunately some of our political leaders revel in unnecessary foreign adventures, thus attracting unwarranted criticism for which those who serve are not responsible. The primary duty of the soldier is to obey orders and to hold him culpable for our involvement in war is to apportion blame to the wrong quarter.

The past century has proved that we need our army and the soldier’s worth has never been questioned, no matter that there has been needless slaughter on all sides, but there is a distinct feeling in the country at the present time that they are not being given the consideration due them, created no doubt because very few people today have ever been in uniform. A spell in the ranks is reckoned to be the finest training available as anyone who has served with the colours can attest because it instils a sense of discipline and self-worth with the added benefits of comradeship and loyalty to one’s country that cannot be acquired in any other walk of life.

The debt we owe our servicemen is therefore to be acknowledged in the future with the observance of an Armed Forces Day, an idea put forward by our own M P, Quentin Davies, following widespread outrage in 2008 when members of the Royal Air Force were asked not to wear their uniforms when visiting Peterborough, despite the close proximity of the Strike Command base at Wittering. This and several other similar incidents prompted the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, to order an independent inquiry into the national recognition of our armed forces which was headed by Mr Davies and this event is one of the 40 recommendations put forward to ensure that we do not forget in the future.

The first annual Armed Forces Day was therefore observed in Bourne and elsewhere on Saturday 27th June to celebrate the achievements of British servicemen and women to raise awareness and help improve public respect for the military. The town council offered £500 towards the cost of organising the event based at the recreation ground and a further grant came from the Ministry of Defence. In a letter to The Local (Friday 17th April 2009), one of the organisers, Tim Bladon, of Wendover Close, Rippingale, gave a moving account as to why we should honour those who have served on this special day. He wrote:

The object of this celebration is to bring about public recognition of the contribution these men and women have made to their country so that the nation as a whole is able to enjoy the lifestyle we have today. Many have been injured during their service and have been forgotten, yet casualties are still being incurred in Iraq and Afghanistan to the concern of the public and we feel that this will be a suitable occasion to do this. Every veteran has undergone both disciplinary and technical training which has been usefully absorbed and utilised into our economy after the completion of their service. We are hoping that this day will bring recognition of their endeavours and the value to the community brought by these veterans. This is a day of celebration from all sectors of the community whether they be young or old.

Kipling (1865-1936) acquired his knowledge of the ordinary soldier while working as a newspaperman in India during the days of the British Raj where he observed their life and thoughts at first hand. His poem, Tommy, written in 1890, depicts the contemptuous way in which the British soldier was treated by civilians in peace time and feted when the need arose to defend or fight for their country, an ephemeral popularity fluctuating between jingoism and disdain. Ironically, it also raised public awareness for a change in attitude towards the soldier and this may well be achieved yet again to instil a new pride in our military by the introduction of an annual Armed Forces Day.

For it’s Tommy this, an’ Tommy that, an’ “Chuck him out, the brute!”
But it’s “Saviour of ‘is country” when the guns begin to shoot.

The venue chosen for the festivities in Bourne on Saturday 27th June was the recreation ground in Recreation Road where a full programme of activities was arranged, beginning at midday and continuing through until 6 pm. The attraction included a re-enactment group and vehicles from World War II, fancy dress, art competitions, judo and other displays, a fly-past by a Dakota bomber, stalls, beer and food tents and the presentation of veteran's badges to fifteen people from the town who had served with the armed forces by the Mayor of Bourne, Councillor Trevor Holmes.

Organisations from around the district took part including local schools and sporting clubs, the Army Cadet Force, police cadets and the Holbeach Town Band, the event culminating with a march past at which Major Simon Turner took the salute and a sunset ceremony service was  conducted by Canon David Staples, chaplain to the Royal British legion (Bourne branch). Some 2,000 people attended.

See also Quentin Davies M P