Ely Armed Forces Day 2023: Cadets presented city honour

The Freedom of the City of Ely was awarded to the organisations in recognition of their ‘long and valuable service’ to young people.  

Ely Mayor Cllr Chris Phillips addresses the crowd to launch Armed Forces Day. (Image: Liz Sayers)

Cllr Chris Phillips, the city’s Mayor, said: “The certificates state just why this Freedom has been bestowed: ‘For the long and valuable service the Corps and Cadet Force has rendered to the young people of Ely and district and their contribution to civic life.  

“The council recognises the dedication of all the officers, cadets and supporters and the value that the training, discipline and citizenship skills instilled give to the wider community and the nation’.”   

The day also included a specially commissioned cry by Ely’s Town Crier Cecilia De-Boer. (Image: Liz Sayers)

The Freedom of the City of Ely was always championed by the late Mike Rouse, the city’s former Mayor and a long term councillor. He passed away in May 2022.  

Armed Forces Day took place on Saturday (June 24) where the community gathered to mark the event.  

Cadets marched from Palace Green to Cross Green for the Armed Forces Day ceremony. (Image: Liz Sayers)

City of Ely Standard Bearer Tom Brown carried the Union Standard as The Army Cadet Force and Air Training Corps marched behind their own standards from Palace Green to Cross Green.  

Air cadets lined up at the ceremony next to Ely Cathedral. (Image: Angela Smith)

There, the Mayor presented the Freedom of the City of Ely certificates to Lt Darryl Gardiner of the Ely detachment of the Army Cadet Force and Flt Lt John Donoghue, officer commanding the City of Ely Royal Air Force Cadets. 

Ely Mayor Cllr Chris Phillips presents Freedom of the city certificate to Flt Lt John Donoghue officer commanding Ely Royal Air Force Cadets. (Image: Liz Sayers)

Ely Mayor Cllr Chris Phillips inspects Ely’s Army Cadets. (Image: Liz Sayers)

The Mayor inspecting cadets of the City of Ely Air Training corps squadron. (Image: Liz Sayers)

Deputy Mayor, former Rifleman Rob Pitt discusses kit with Ely Army Cadets. (Image: Liz Sayers)

The day also included a specially commissioned cry by Ely’s Town Crier Cecilia De-Boer, information stands from various military organisations and music from Breckland Brass Band.  

Rev Alan Jessop, the Cambridgeshire county Royal British Legion chaplain, closed the event with a Drumhead Service.    

Rev Alan Jessop, Cambridgeshire county Royal British Legion chaplain conducts the Drumhead Service to end Armed Forces Day. Right is City of Ely branch chairman David Martin. (Image: Liz Sayers)

Ely Town Crier Cecilia De-Boer wrote a special cry to open Armed Forces Day. (Image: Liz Sayers)

The Mayor Cllr Chris Phillips and Mayoress Mary Rone with deputy mayor former Rifleman Cllr Rob Pitt and last year’s mayor Cllr Richard Morgan and his wife Jane. (Image: Liz Sayers)

The late Cllr Mike Rouse, former Mayor of Ely, at an awards ceremony with Ely Air Cadets in 2019. (Image: Submitted)

Ahead of Saturday’s commemorations, and as an extra commitment to the armed forces community, the City of Ely Council also signed the Armed Forces Covenant in April.   

This is a pledge that those who serve, or have served in the armed forces, and their families, will be treated with fairness and respect by their community.   

Ely Mayor Chris Phillips with the Ely Air Cadets. (Image: Angela Smith)

Ely Army Cadets and Air Cadets marched to the ceremony which was held on Cross Green. (Image: Angela Smith)

City of Ely Standard Bearer Tom Brown carried the Union Standard. (Image: Angela Smith)

Ely Air Cadets lined up. (Image: Angela Smith)

Ely Army Cadets lined up at the ceremony on Armed Forces Day. (Image: Angela Smith)

Ely Air Cadets were presented with the Freedom of the City of Ely. (Image: Angela Smith)

Ely Army Cadets were also honoured with the Freedom of the City of Ely. (Image: Angela Smith)