An array of military memorabilia will be on display at two events in the City of Wolverhampton next week in the build up to Armed Forces Day on Saturday, June 24.
The national day gives the country the chance to pay tribute to serving troops, veterans, cadets and their families.
Wolverhampton Art Gallery is running an exhibition from Monday, June 19 to June 24 to mark 80 years since the Boulton Paul Defiant’s test flight at Pendeford Airfield in 1937. The Wolverhampton-built aircraft went on to see service in the Second World War.
Tettenhall Transport Heritage Centre will be providing displays about the Defiant inside the Lichfield Street gallery, as well as equipment used by the Royal Air Force and the British Army dating back as far as the First World War.
Curator Alec Brew said: “We are happy to display what we can for this excellent cause, and people can also come along to our own Military Day on July 15th, when the local army reserve unit will be displaying their modern equipment.”
The Mercian Regiment Museum will be at the Mander Centre (Lower Mall) on Tuesday, June 20, between 10am and 4pm.
It is an opportunity to view an exhibition of the past and present, and compare the experiences of First World War and Second World War soldiers from the Staffordshire Regiment with the modern-day soldier in the West Mercian Regiment.
Antique weapons, uniforms and memorabilia will be on display, and there is the chance to take photos with former soldiers in their uniform of the day, as well as try your hand at poppy and medal making.
City of Wolverhampton Council Cabinet Member for City Economy, Councillor John Reynolds, said: “These fabulous museums are just two of the events all the family can get involved in to support our Armed Forces.
“Armed Forces Day 2017 will be the culmination of a week of celebrations in Wolverhampton honouring the incredible contribution made by the UK's Armed Forces in the past, present and future.
"It is our chance to demonstrate our gratitude to them, and I hope the people of Wolverhampton will turn out in force to show their support.”
Wolverhampton is a signatory of the Armed Forces Community Covenant, a pledge of mutual support between the city and its Armed Forces community.
It calls on local people to support the Armed Forces community, recognise and remember the sacrifices they have made over the years and encourage activities that help members of the Armed Forces integrate into local life.
It also encourages members of the Armed Forces support the wider community, and promote understanding and awareness among the public of some of the issues faced by former members of the Armed Forces as they return to civilian life.
