Britain's top soldier is urging the people of Kent to demonstrate their support for the Armed Forces at a parade and thanksgiving service in Canterbury.

Thousands are expected to join in celebrating what is Kent’s major event of the Territorial Army’s Centenary year tomorrow.

Serving and former TA soldiers and veterans from all volunteer reserves and regular armed forces from across the county will be taking part.

Kent’s celebration of TA 100 promises to be one of the biggest nationwide – and the Chief of the General Staff himself, General Sir Richard Dannatt, will be there to take the salute.

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He said: “It is a great honour to be asked to take the salute at the parade in Canterbury and to read the lesson at the thanksgiving service in the Cathedral on what will be a very special occasion.

“As a nation, we ask a great deal from our servicemen and women – often in extremely demanding operational environments

“To succeed, the Army adheres to its values and standards of selfless commitment, courage, discipline, integrity, loyalty and respect for others."

Led by the Band of The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment, and with Colours and old comrades’ standards flying, detachments from TA units based in Ashford, Canterbury, Ditton, Dover, Maidstone, Rochester and Tunbridge Wells, will march through Canterbury city centre.

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Joining them will be hundreds of veterans – some in their 90s – and Cadets.

The Cathedral will be packed for the ticket-only thanksgiving service paying tribute to the contribution and sacrifice made by Territorials and their comrades over the past century.

The Lord Lieutenant, Allan Willett, The Queen’s representative in the county, whose initiative this was, is also appealing to the public to honour the marchers.

He said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for the people of Kent to enjoy the greatest spectacle of its kind for years and at the same time demonstrate their support for all the Forces of the Crown – past and present. I hope that many thousands will come along and line the route.”

The event has been made possible through close cooperation between the Lieutenancy, Canterbury City Council, Canterbury Cathedral and the Army’s 2 (South East) Brigade.

The Lord Mayor of Canterbury, Cllr Carolyn Parry, will be with the Lord Lieutenant and General Dannatt at the saluting base, and the thanksgiving service will be led by the Dean, the Very Reverend Robert Willis.

Among those attending is Lance Corporal Johnson Beharry, of The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment, who won the Victoria Cross for valour saving comrades in Iraq although himself grievously wounded.

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How to be involved in the big day

• Entry to the Cathedral service is strictly by ticket only and very few places are left.

Veterans can apply by phoning 01227 738800 or e-mailing Kentta100@allanwillett.org

• Those too late to obtain tickets for the Cathedral service will be able to hear it via a public address system if they are in the Precincts no later than 11.45 a.m.

• Veterans who wish to join the march and have not already registered can do so now – or report to the Pound Lane car park beside Westgate Hall by 9.30 a.m. on 6 September.

• The parade will march off at 10.45am via Pound Lane, St Peter’s Street and the High Street to the junction with Butchery Lane where the salute will be taken at 11 am, and via the Longmarket, Burgate and the Buttermarket to the Cathedral

• After the parade the band will continue to play for the public in the Longmarket area.

A collection will be taken in aid of Help for Heroes – Support for Our Wounded.

• The Pound Lane and Queningate car parks will be closed to the public on 6 September and the city council is advising the public to use park and ride or other public transport.