Published: Friday, 26th June, 2009 12:00pm

'We should celebrate what the armed forces do for us"

by Rose Harland

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A FORMER Naval seaman and proud grandfather of two current servicemen has welcomed Armed Forces Day celebrations.

Bill Wregelsworth, 75, who served in the Royal Navy, is pleased that Bracknell will be honouring both current and former servicemen and women this Saturday as part of Armed Forces Day.

Two of Mr Wregelsworth"s grandsons have followed him into service life with Rifleman Daniel Wood, 21, from Easthampstead, currently in Afghanistan with the Army, and his brother Scott, 19, serving with the Navy.

Mr Wregelsworth, who is from Wildridings, said: 'The whole family is very pleased with them both, we"re worried about Daniel at the moment but we"re very pleased. He went out to Afghanistan about three-and-a-half months ago while up until last week, Scott was on HMS York.'

Mr Wregelsworth said he had not expected the brothers to follow him into the Forces but had always been pleased to talk to them both about service life.

He said: 'It"s something worth while doing, you learn a lot and you gain a lot of friends.

'The Navy is a real family and, anywhere you go in the world, if you find someone who has been in the Navy they will always help you.'

Mr Wregelsworth has welcomed Bracknell"s efforts for Armed Forces Day which start at 11am and run until 4pm in the town centre.

Highlights of the day include a parade of veterans, current servicemen and women and young cadets led by the spectacular Band of the Life Guards in their red uniforms and plumed helmets.

He said: 'I"m now disabled and I work in the Shopmobility shop, we"ve been putting photos of people in the Forces up in our window to get ready for Saturday.

'I think it"s a great idea because people should celebrate all the hard work these people do for us.' On Monday, a flag marking Armed Forces Day was raised in Bracknell town centre at Bracknell Forest Council"s Easthampstead House. Mayor, Cllr Bob Wade, event organising committee chairman, Cllr Bob Edger, and officers of the borough"s Royal Naval Association were at the ceremony.

Flags were also flying high at the Royal British Legion building opposite the entrance to Princess Square and at Bracknell Town Council offices. The ceremonies were repeated in towns and cities across the country and Armed Forces Day flags are also being flown where British servicemen and women are serving overseas, including in Afghanistan, Iraq, Cyprus, Germany, Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands.