Thousands are expected to join in celebrating Kent's major event of the Territorial Army's Centenary year next month.

On Saturday, September 6, serving and former TA soldiers and veterans from all volunteer reserves and regular armed forces from across the county will be heading for Canterbury to take 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.

Led by the band of The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment, and with colours and old comrades' standards flying, detachments from all the county's TA units and hundreds of veterans and cadets will march through Canterbury city centre just before 11am.

Canterbury Cathedral will be packed for a 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 appealing to the public to turn out and 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."

He added: "Showing support for our servicemen and women and their families is not about politics nor whether people are for or against military action – it's about demonstrating our fellow-feeling for the sons and daughters of Kent who have served and continue to serve the nation so well."

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 L Cpl 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.

Factfile:

The Territorial Force – later called the Territorial Army – was formed in 1908 from the old Militia, Rifle Volunteers and Yeomanry;

Many thousands of Kent Territorials fought in the two World Wars and many campaigns since;

Today, the county has TA units based in Ashford, Canterbury, Ditton, Dover, Maidstone, Rochester and Tunbridge Wells;

Entry to the Cathedral service is strictly by ticket only and very few places are left. Veterans can apply by phoning 01227 738800 (Monday to Thursday) or e-mailing Kentta100@allanwillett.org;

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