Bodmin’s military heritage was celebrated as the town hosted the launch of the Armed Forces Day flag relay.

The town witnessed the first of 10 official flag relay events being held across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly ahead of Armed Forces Day in June.

The large Armed Forces Day flag was unfurled at Bodmin Keep, Cornwall’s Army Museum.

This year the national celebrations for Armed Forces Day will be focused on Falmouth.

Bodmin Mayor Phil Cooper transported the flag through the town’s streets before delivering it to the Keep where Lord Lieutenant Colonel Edward Bolitho, veterans, cadets, serving military personnel and schoolchildren from St Petroc’s Primary School had gathered.

The flag, which symbolises public support for armed forces personnel past and present, will visit places including RAF St Mawgan near Newquay, Helston, the Isles of Scilly, Land’s End, Penzance, Launceston, HMS Raleigh in Torpoint and the Army Reserve Centre in Truro.

Cornwall Councillor Leigh Frost, from Bodmin, said: “It was a fantastic afternoon at Bodmin Keep for the launch of the flag relay leading up to the national Armed Forces Day in Falmouth this June.

“Bodmin is steeped in military history, being the ancestral home of the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry (DCLI). 

“Victoria Barracks was the DCLI’s base from 1881 until 1959, when it went through a series of mergers, becoming The Rifles, the regiment we have today. 

“We are also home to the 232 Port Squadron,  165 Port and Maritime Regiment RLC – one of the largest army reserve units in the British Army and the only one that moves logistics by sea. We have a great military heritage and it was wonderful to celebrate that.”

The Armed Forces Day national event will be held in Falmouth on Saturday, June 24.

Falmouth will see a programme of events and activities including a military parade, marching bands, military displays, live music, flying displays and fireworks.

Organisers say it is expected to be one of the most stirring programmes ever staged in Cornwall.

The plans include a military village showcasing vehicles, equipment and interactive displays.

The planned military parade through the streets of Falmouth will involve regular and reserve personnel from all three services, as well as cadets and veterans.

There will be opportunities to meet with armed forces charities and organisations to find out about their work and the support they can provide.

The live music will include a Proms-style concert at Pendennis Castle.

Fireworks over the harbour will round off proceedings.