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Recognising our local heroes past and present

Throughout the year, we hold numerous events to show our support for the armed forces. You can find out about this year's events on the civic events calendar, or you can find out more about past events below.

Annual parades

Members of the armed forces marching in Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough Council, in conjunction with the RAF, Sea, and Army Cadet Forces, and 4th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment, as well as other organisations, holds annual parades and services to recognise those who participated in armed conflicts both past and present.

The anniversary of the Battle of Britain Parade and Service is held in September. The Battle of Britain was the German air force's attempt to gain air superiority over the RAF from July to September 1940. Their ultimate failure was one of the turning points of World War Two and prevented Germany from invading Britain.

The Trafalgar Day Parade and Service is held in October in commemoration of Admiral Lord Nelson's defeat of the French and Spanish fleet off Cape Trafalgar in 1805 despite being outnumbered and out-gunned.

We also hold events to mark Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day. You can find out more on the Remembrance Sunday page.

All of these events are held at the Cenotaph which is located outside the Dorman Museum on Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough. The dates and times of this year's parades can be found in the civic events calendar.

Recent events

King Charles III coronation parade and service

Sunday 28 May 2023

The Teesside District Sea Cadets held a parade and service at the cenotaph to commemorate the coronation of King Charles III. The parade was attended by the Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, Jo Ropner, High Sheriff of North Yorkshire, Clare Granger, Mayor of Middlesbrough, Chris Cooke, and the Mayors from Stockton, Redcar and Cleveland, Hartlepool, Guisborough, and Thornaby, as well as other civic dignitaries and councillors. The parade marched from the East Lodge in Albert Park to the cenotaph. Following the service, the salute was taken at the South African war memorial.

Battle of Britain parade and service

Sunday 17 September 2023

A service was held at the cenotaph to commemorate the 83rd anniversary of the Battle of Britain. RAF Cadets from the Teesside District together with 1869 (Middlesbrough) Sqn Air Cadets were on parade and a small wreath laying ceremony was held. It was attended by the Mayor of Middlesbrough, Chris Cooke, MP for Middlesbrough, Andy McDonald, Middlesbrough councillors, staff, volunteers, and officers from the RAF Cadets. The service was conducted by Rev David Williams.

Trafalgar Day parade and service

Members of the RAF cadets at the Trafalgar Day parade in Middlesbrough

Sunday 29 October 2023

A parade and service was held at the cenotaph to commemorate the 218th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar. It was attended by the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, David Kerfoot CBE, the Deputy Mayor of Middlesbrough, and the mayors of Hartlepool, Stockton, and Guisborough, and the Deputy Mayor from Redcar and Cleveland. Also in attendance were MP for Middlesbrough, Andy McDonald, Middlesbrough councillors and Sea Cadets staff, cadets, and volunteers from Teesside District. The service was conducted by Canon Glyn Holland of All Saints Church, Middlesbrough.

Laying of the first poppy

Veterans, members of the armed forces, and civic dignitaries at the laying of the first poppy

Thursday 9 November 2023

The Deputy Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, Dr Bill Scott OBE, the Mayor of Middlesbrough, Chris Cooke, MP for Middlesbrough, Andy McDonald, Cleveland Police, Cleveland Fire Brigade, the Police and Crime Commissioner, and other civic guests attended the laying the first poppy on the field of remembrance service at the cenotaph. Hundreds of pupils from 40 primary, secondary, and special schools also attended, laying a wooden poppy cross and bringing along poppies and wreaths made specially for the occasion. Children from Archibald Primary School made special wooden crosses for the Deputy Lord Lieutenant and Mayor. Some of the children from Sacred Heart Primary School, along with Archibald, also gave readings. The service which was conducted by Canon Glyn Holland of All Saints Church, Middlesbrough.

Armistice Day

Saturday 11 November 2023

A small service was held at the cenotaph to observe the two-minute silence for Armistice Day. The service was attended by the Mayor of Middlesbrough, Chris Cooke, and members of the public were in attendance. It was conducted by Canon Glyn Holland.

Armed Forces Day

Every year, we show our support for the UK's service personnel and veterans by promoting Armed Forces Day.

Armed Forces Day is a national celebration of support for the military, and is open to all, from families and local groups to veterans and potential new recruits. It was formerly known as Veterans' Day and has been developed to reflect the wider role of the UK Armed Forces in the life of the nation and its local communities, and their involvement in ongoing conflicts around the globe.

Remembering Gallipoli and Our War - 23 April 2015

A remembrance service to honour those who fought in Gallipoli and the First World War was held at Middlesbrough cenotaph. As part of the commemorations, 10 of the town's schools made nearly 2,000 artificial poppies for an art project titled Remembering Gallipoli and Our War. The poppies were made from materials including ceramics, plastic bottles, paper and foam, and were planted in the flowerbeds surrounding the cenotaph to create the Middlesbrough Schools Field of Poppies.

Saturday 25 April 2015 marked exactly 100 years to the day that Australians and New Zealanders landed on Turkey's Gallipoli peninsula in 1915. The eight and a half month campaign led to the deaths of more than 130,000 soldiers, of whom more than 21,000 were British.