War veteran to fly the flag for Armed Forces Day

A 95-year-old war veteran who swept the seas for mines after the Second World War will fly the flag for our armed forces heroes and their families this week.

Horace Gamble, from Ratby, joined the Central Leicester Battalion of the Home Guard when he was 18 years old, before training as a radio mechanic for the Royal Navy three years later.

The decorated war veteran, who was in the Navy for three years until 1946 when he was demobbed, risked his life mine sweeping off the coasts of Norway, Belgium, Holland and Germany.

Now Horace will raise the Armed Forces Day flag at our Stand Easy memorial on Monday, 25 June.

Horace said that he was “honoured” to fly the flag in honour of service men and women. 

I am really proud to have been asked to raise the flag. It is very important that we keep the memories going of those who served during the war and those who continue to serve in the forces.

Person:Horace Gamble, from Ratby

During the event, Horace, who was also given a war badge for mine sweeping, will be joined by the Chairman of the county council, Ozzy O’Shea, and Lord-Lieutenant Mike Kapur.

The men and women who make up our Armed Forces and those veterans who formerly served their country have made, and continue to make, huge sacrifices on our behalf. It is vital that we raise awareness and honour their work. 

“Horace is a great example of someone who deserves recognition for bravely serving our nation. He represents all those past and present whose actions gave us the liberty we enjoy today.

Person:Ozzy O'Shea, chairman of the county council

Our event is one of a number taking place across the country at 10.30am on Monday, ahead of Armed Forces Day which is celebrated nationally on Saturday, 30 June.

Leicester and Leicestershire will also mark Armed Forces Day with a service at Leicester Cathedral on Saturday, June 23. Both councils and the cathedral will re-sign the Armed Forces Covenant which will be followed by a parade of service personnel, veterans and cadets through the city.

The annual event first launched in 2009 to recognise the sacrifice and contribution made by veterans, serving members of the armed forces, reservist troops and their families.