Kick off the Diamond Jubilee celebrations by marvelling at Britain’s military heritage at the Dover Tattoo

Freefalling parachutists will drop in to the county to start the Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

The Tigers display team of the Canterbury-based Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment is part of the military might being displayed at the Dover Tattoo.

Two evenings of shows from Britain’s forces and massed bands will stir up patriotic emotions for the 60th anniversary of the Queen’s accession to the throne.

A family fun day will look at life in the Army today and host reenactments of battles from the Norman and Napoleonic eras.

The prowess of the Folkestone-based Gurkhas’ kukri knife displays will draw a few gasps around the Connaught Barracks Parade Ground at the tattoo, next to the historic garrison of Fort Burgoyne.

The Royal Signals motorcycle display team, known as the White Helmets, will also perform their world-class act on both Friday, June 1 and Saturday, June 2.

Then a full-scale assault will provide an explosive insight into how the Army would attack an enemy base.

Joining the display teams at the tattoo will be bands such as the Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas, the Pipes and Drums of the 1st Battalion of the Royal Gurkha Rifles, the Band of the Army Air Corps and the Kent Wing Air Training Corps.

Gary Chilton, lead singer of the Soldiers, will sing a Michael Buble tribute with the Band of the Adjutant General’s Corps and there will be performances from the Dover and Folkestone Sea Cadet Massed Bands and Tonbridge School.

Both nights of the tattoo are rounded off with a fireworks finale and the traditional lone piper.

The family fun day on Saturday, June 2, begins its military journey in the 13th century with Milites de Bec, giving a flavour of what life was like for the Normans and Anglo Normans.

Then 15th century battles and guns take centre stage with the Kyngs Ordynaunce re-enactment group.

Fans of the Napoleonic era can see what Wellington’s foot guards at the time of Waterloo looked like thanks to the First Footguards living history group. The 79th Cameron Highlanders living history group will re-enact life as it would have been during the Peninsular wars and up to the Battle of Waterloo.

The struggles of a First World War encampment is brought to life by the 10th Essex living history group, who are also bringing with them a Great War bi-plane. They will perform a short play, showing the hazards of flying over the Western Front.

Today’s army will also be out in force with an obstacle course, a gun run and a climbing wall. Families can see vintage military vehicles and find out what goes on behind the scenes of the White Helmets motorcycle display team.

The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight is also expected to soar overhead in the afternoon, with its Second World War bombers and fighter planes.

Guided tours of the Fort Burgoyne garrison will also run during the day. Guides from the Western Heights Preservation Society will take people around the site which is rarely open to the public.

The Dover Tattoo takes place at Connaught Barracks Parade Ground, next to Fort Burgoyne, on Friday, June 1 and Saturday, June 2. Gates 5.30pm, tattoo from 7.30pm to 10pm. Tickets £12 to £25. The family fun day on Saturday, June 2 is from 11am to 4pm. Admission £3, children £1. Details onwww.dovertattoo.org.uk.