Thousands flocked to Walmer Green yesterday (Sunday) for the annual musical tribute to the 11 Royal Marines killed in the IRA bombing in Deal.

The concert saw the return of the Royal Marines Portsmouth Band and is expected to attract big crowds, as it does every year.

It was a chance for people to pay their respects to the 11 musicians who were killed in the IRA bombing of Deal Barracks in 1989.

The early birds were up and waiting for the concert to begin again this year, some as early as 6am.

Vernon Gidman, 69, and Doreen Bonnar, 77, both arrived at 7am to make sure they got good seats, setting up their tables and chairs with a bottle of champers and Guinness.

Ms Bonnar, of Downs Road, Walmer, said: "We've been coming every year for 10 years. We knew most of the members that got killed in the bombing. It's like home, coming to the concert and having a party with people.

"When we first started coming it was just an ordinary Sunday concert but it's gradually escalated over the years."

Her friend, Mr Gidman, came all the way from Sweden for the concert. He moved to Sweden in 1971 but was originally from Deal.

Friends Sheila Bamford, 78, and Mike Jarrett, 68, also arrived early to bag the best seats, at 7.30am.

They were the first in the car park to be unloading folding chairs and tables.

Mrs Bamford comes every year without fail, as she used to work with the Royal Marines as a steward. She was working the day that the school of music was bombed but said she doesn't like to think about it, for her today is more about celebrating their lives.

She said: "To me it's very special. We come every year through rain and hail, snow and wind to see the bands."

Mrs Bamford, of Patterson Close, was on the staff of the officer's mess right up until it closed in 1996.

Others were saving space for a party of 30 at about 7.40am this morning.

Angela and Paul Mortimer, and their neighbour Frank Macklin braved the grey clouds and waved their Union Jack flags, excited for the day to commence.

Mrs Mortimer, 54, of Downs Road, Walmer, said: "We are here to support the Marines and we knew some of those that were tragically killed. Paul's parents used to have a pub, called the Prince Albert, and the bandsman used to go in there all the time."

Other early birds reserved a seat in the early hours of the morning before going home.

One couple from Ramsgate said they knew they had to get there early, as thousands flock to the Green by lunchtime.

For Glen Richardson and Helen Rivers, the chance to see the bands play is what draws them to the concert time and again.

Ms Rivers said: "We are looking forward to it. It always has such a great atmosphere."

This year’s event also honoured the marines, musicians and buglers of the Royal Marines who died doing their duty 100 years ago at the Battle of Jutland.

This year is the first time it was presided over by the newly appointed Commandant General Royal Marines, Maj Gen R A Magowan CBE who will arrive at Deal Memorial Bandstand via a procession from Deal castle before the 2pm start.

The concert includes in its programme well-known pieces such as the Barber of Seville by Rossini as well as music from the classic film Fantasia and a finale featuring rousing pieces such as Rule Britannia, Land Of Hope And Glory, the National Anthem and A Life On The Ocean Wave.

The police also stepped up its presence for the day with three police cars around the Green, as well as a dog unit on stand-by.

The weekly shows and the annual Marines on the Green concerts are organised by Deal Memorial Bandstand Trust which was born in the aftermath of the 1989 atrocity.

A programme, produced by the East Kent Mercury, is available for £2.