PICTURES: Celebrating the armed forces in Rotherham

Hundreds turned out in the town centre for the annual Armed Forces Day parade, with memorial campaigners inviting donations to the Advertiser’s appeal.

We have teamed up with the Friends of Clifton Park to raise funds for a memorial in the park to all those from Rotherham who lost their lives in World War Two — and the appeal fund has already passed the £15,000 mark.

Campaigner Marilyn Moreman was among those remembering lost comrades and applauding the current troops while manning the Friends’ stall in All Saints’ Square, where more than £200 in donations was collected.

“Everyone who came to see us had read about the campaign in the Advertiser and made them think about the family they may have lost in the war,” she said.  “It has just been phenomenal and we can’t thank the Advertiser enough for all the publicity.”

Saturday’s parade was led by the South Yorkshire Police Band and included members of the Territorial Army, cadets from the Air Training Corps, Army Cadets, Sea Cadets and Police Cadets.

The Mayor of Rotherham, Cllr John Foden and Lt-Col Ian McPherson MBE gave speeches welcoming the marchers and thanking them for bringing honour to the town.

Guest of honour was campaigning former soldier Lance-Bombardier Ben Parkinson, several councillors and senior council officials and MPs Sarah Champion and John Healey.

Entertainment was provided by Gillian Banks Theatre School and there were also stalls from a variety of military charities and organisations offering information and advice.

See Friday’s Advertiser for a full report and two pages of pictures