Remembrance Day march

Remembrance Sunday Cenotaph March Past 

Sunday 9 November 2014 

A contingent from the FAAOA will march past the Cenotaph and all Fleet Air Arm associations will march together. We will still be in our separate associations but each will march in succession as one Fleet Air Arm ‘family’. 

All associations have to provide a brief to the BBC in advance. The BBC asks for short stories or anecdotes which can be used on air. There are many stories which would be of interest and will raise the profile of the Fleet Air Arm. Anyone who has watched the parade on television will know the anecdotes used are usually very short; this is because it takes just seconds for each group to pass the cameras. 

All members wishing to take part in the Cenotaph march past should send in the form in the centre pages (or print the pdf below) including, if possible, an anecdote/story which could be used by the BBC. Return the form to the FAAOA office. If the number of applications exceeds our allocation of places, priority will be given to those who regularly march and those who have already expressed a wish to march this year. Please make sure you include a phone number on your application form. When the security passes have been received from the Royal British Legion, successful applicants will receive a letter from the FAAOA office confirming attendance and detailing the arrangements. Unsuccessful applicants will be informed by phone. The Royal British Legion have stressed that all marchers must be ex-Service. 

On completion of the main Cenotaph march past, those who wish may make their way to the embankment where, as previously, all the associations will gather briefly at the Fleet Air Arm memorial. 

Alternative shorter act of remembrance 

There is more to taking part than appears on television. The day can be very tiring and involves standing or marching for nearly three hours, often in the cold and rain, so please think carefully before you apply. If you do not feel able to march, there is an alternative simpler and shorter act of remembrance involving laying a wreath at the Fleet Air Arm memorial on the embankment, located between the Ministry of Defence Main Building and the river. This is not ticketed and you do not have to give notice to attend; simply turn up on the day at the memorial by 10.45. Attendees observe the two minutes silence and then a wreath is laid. You may choose whether to return for the assembly of all the FAA associations which happens at about 12.45(on completion of the main Cenotaph parade).

• REMEMBRANCE DAY MARCH PAST application form