Armed Forces Day ceremony in Sutherland to feature address on 1943 Dambusters Raid

A PROGRAMME has been put in place to mark Armed Forces Day 2023 in Sutherland on Saturday, June 24.

Sutherland residents and particularly service personnel, veterans, cadets and their families and friends are invited to attend a ceremony at Golspie Memorial Garden, located at the south end of the village.

The day will start at 11am with a welcome by Major Alasdair Miller, the president of the Golspie branch of the Royal British Legion Scotland.

There will follow a drum roll, flag raising and a performance by Sutherland Schools Pipe Band.

Sutherland Lord-Lieutenant Patrick Marriott will give a short address at 11.15am.

Then Jonathan Brett Young will tell the story of the Dambusters Raid - it is the 80th anniversary of the daring raid on May 16-17, 1943.

Sutherland has a strong connection with the raid through the Maudslay family who owned the West Shinness Estate at the time. Squadron leader Henry Maudsley DFC was killed on the raid.

Major General Marriott will present medals and certificates at 11.30pm and there will be concluding remarks before the pipe band play again.

Memorabilia from the Maudsley family will be on display at the Stag’s Head Hotel, Golspie, where refreshments will be available.

It is hoped that future Armed Forces Days can be hosted at different venues throughout Sutherland from time to time.

Any Sutherland branches of Legion Scotland, the Royal Naval Association or any veterans’ groups interested in hosting the event in future, is asked to email the Lieutenancy team at: sutherlandlieutenancy@gmail.com

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