Greenwich Veterans' Day Event

The Ministry of Defence is hosting a free Veterans Day event in the Old Royal Naval College on 27 June. The event will feature the ‘Not Forgotten’ Association celebrity concert, to be screened live on huge TV Screens in the grounds of the College.

Starting at 16.00 the grounds of the College with be filled with interactive displays and activities including a Battle of Britain simulator, a paintball range, a climbing wall, a laser clay pigeon range, an inflatable assault course and military jeep. Come along and have a go!

The Royal Marines Commando Display Team are trained specialists in unarmed combat, and will show off their skills in hand to hand fighting. They will also be showing people the ropes on the climbing wall.

The Armed Forces will put on various physical training displays, and the theme for Greenwich is 'Fit to Fight - Fit for Life'. The Royal Navy will be undertaking their hugely entertaining 'Hornpipe', which will include Club and Cutlass swinging drills. The Army will conduct a Gymnastic Display with teams carrying out exciting vaults over a box, and the RAF will put their futuristic display of Aerobics using the 'Steps' system. This will culminate in a grand finale where all three Services race against the clock over an obstacle course.

You can also watch Naval re-enactors, see what a field military hospital looks like, and meet veterans of the Armed Forces in the ‘Veterans Village’. Refreshment stands will be open.

The veterans community is hugely diverse and includes all former ex-Service personnel, both young and old. 200 veterans will arrive at Old Royal Naval College by boat, and proceed through the grounds to the Painted Hall.

At 20:15 a ‘Not Forgotten’ Association concert of music and readings will be beamed live from the Painted Hall in to the College grounds on two huge screens. Worldwide entertainers including Engelbert Humperdinck, the Drifters and Rolf Harris will perform some of their classics, whilst actors such as Edward Woodwood, Michele Dotrice and Robert Hardy will give readings from World War One to present, paying tribute to the 200 veterans inside the Painted Hall. The concert will close at 21:30. Attendance to the Painted Hall is by invitation only.

This is a free outdoor event, suitable for all the family.