BOROUGH residents are preparing to celebrate and recognise HM Armed Forces as part of Britain’s first ever Armed Forces Day on Saturday.

The Guardian spoke to serving members of the Armed Forces’ past, present and future to find out why they chose to serve their Queen and country.

Falklands War veteran Nigel Thomas, 53, of Norton Close, Chingford, grew up knowing he would join the Royal Navy because he was inspired by his father who served in the Navy and his mother who was a WREN during the Second World War.

The father-of-two was sent to the Falklands War as a weapons electrical mechanic on the fleet air arm in 1982 where he lost several friends and saw many return home wounded.

He said: “It was something I had trained to do, but even so nothing prepares you for it.

"We got blown at a few times and had near misses, but nothing compared to others. Now I feel lucky to have come back unscathed.”

He added: “I have always been proud of fighting for my country and I still miss the camaraderie.

“It is about time the armed forces were recognised for what they do because they have been taken for granted for many years.”

Robert Harris, 23, of Beech Hall Road in Chingford has finished his second phase of training with the Royal Navy and is possibly going to Gulf in July.

His mum, Sharon Donner, said joining up “straightened him out” and she was so proud to see him passing out recently.

The former Highams Park School pupil said: “I joined because there weren’t many jobs around.

"I also wanted to serve my country and make my family proud. I felt like I was finally doing something with my life.

“Now I want to climb the ranks and see the world. I am a little nervous about going into conflicts but it is what I signed up to do.”

Emma Casbolt, 17, of Richmond Avenue, Highams Park, joined the cadets four years as part of the 27-Squadron in Chingford and plans to join the Royal Air Force after studying engineering at university.

She said: “You look up to people in uniform and who else has the opportunity to learn to fly a plane and do air acrobatics at our age?

“The discipline is good too. It makes you grow up and learn self-control and to use your initiative.

"If I ever went into conflict I will feel okay about that because you have all your colleagues with you and I trust them.”

The Highams Park Sixth Form College student added: “I think Armed Forces Day is a really good idea, to show our support.”

The Armed Forces Day will be held annually on 27 June, providing the nation with a dedicated day for people to show their appreciation of the Armed Forces, both regular and reserve force and cadets.

A flag a raising ceremony was held at Waltham Forest Town Hall on Monday, and on Saturday a parade will be held of Armed Forces’ past, present and future.

Cllr Geoff Walker, the borough’s representative on the Reserve Forces and Cadets Association for Greater London, said: “The sacrifices they make deserve our fullest support, and this annual day gives us the opportunity to express our gratitude and appreciation of their efforts.

“Our excellent Cadet Forces are a credit to the borough and provide our youth with the opportunity to develop their full potential as citizens.

“It is my hope that the citizens of our borough will join with me and fellow councillors in showing our support and giving encouragement to those who are giving, have given and will in the future, give so much to this our United Kingdom of Great Britain.”

- The parade starts at 10.15am in Lloyd Park, Forest Road, Walthamstow, on Saturday and will finish at the Town Hall. Led by the Epping Forest Pipe Band, it will reflect Armed Forces, past, present and future, with the local Territorial unit, “The Inns of Court and City Yeomanry” based at Whipps Cross, joined by members of the Royal British Legion, Veterans and all three Cadet Forces of the borough.