Dudley borough came together to celebrate the nation’s past and present military personnel at an Armed Forces Day event on Sunday.

Thousands of residents gathered in the sunshine at Himley Park for the annual celebration, which is one of the region’s largest free Armed Forces Day events.

Local servicemen were presented with their HM Armed Forces badges and a certificate by Councillor Pete Lee, the Mayor of Dudley, and Deputy Lieutenant Richard Boot OBE.

Among the veterans being recognised in front of their families, friends, and civic dignitaries was Joe Bullock, who celebrated his 100th birthday in December 2024. He also received a commemorative civic paperweight from the Mayor.

Joe served in the Royal Navy from 1942 to 1946, crossing the Channel in the Normandy landings during World War II and later being posted to Singapore. He was awarded the Legion d’Honneur in 2015 by the French government and is president of the Stourbridge branch of the Royal Naval Association.

B (SWWY) Squadron, The Royal Yeomanry were also reaffirmed with the Freedom of the Borough honours.

The Mayor re-awarded the borough’s highest recognition to the unit, who are based in Dudley and previously received freedom honours under their former name of The Royal Mercian and Lancastrian Yeomanry in 2010.

Guests also enjoyed performances from the D Day Darlings Choir, the Mercian Regiment’s contemporary band, and the military bands of the Royal Yeomanry and 2488 (Kingswinford) Squadron RAF Cadets.

Across the park, there was a busy programme of entertainment for all the family, including military re-enactments, a vintage vehicle display, archery, paintball, a funfair, and vintage dance lessons from Time to Swing Dance.

At Himley Hall, visitors explored the Himley at War exhibition from Dudley Museum at the Archives, which features oral histories from local people discussing the hall’s transformation into a Red Cross hospital during World War II.

Councillor Pete Lee, the Mayor of Dudley, said: I was deeply honoured to take part in today’s Armed Forces Day celebrations and pay respect to those who have served our country.

"It was a great privilege to award the B Squadron with their Freedom of the Borough honours. Their support of our Armed Forces Day events over the years has been fantastic and they do brilliant work across Dudley borough and beyond.

"I would like to thank all those who took part today, particularly the veterans who came forward for the presentation. It was a pleasure to hear their stories, present them with their badges, and show the borough’s support and pride in them.”

The event was supported by SF Harrison Roofing, Midtherm Laser Cutting, Jewson Partnership Solutions, and HP & Sons Construction & Restoration.