Drumhead service

The Armed Forces exist to serve. As well as combat roles, they provide assistance to civilian services in time of emergency, support to national events, provide humanitarian assistance overseas, and play their part in UN peace keeping missions and other deployments.

It is being held at the Armed Forces Day National Event 2026 on Sunday 28 June at Queens Avenue, Aldershot, from 11am.

Service led by the Archdeacon to the army, Padre Stephen Dunwoody KHC. 

Preparation for the drumhead service

• The Band of the Household Cavalry march onto the arena with the drums and Colours of the Irish Guards already placed in preparation for the service
• Surrounding the area will be representatives with the standards of The British Legion
• The Band of the Household Cavalry will play a selection of music with a flypast by a Dakota aircraft at 1115hrs. Following this, the service will commence

Full drumhead service

Today we give thanks for all who serve, we acknowledge their commitment, courage, and willingness to stand in a place of danger. Our forces always remember comrades who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of others. Jesus said: “Greater love has no one than this, that they lay down their life for their friends.” John 15:13

Let us pray

Almighty God, stretch forth your mighty arm to strengthen and protect the Armed Forces: grant that meeting danger with courage and all occasions with discipline and loyalty, we may truly serve the cause of justice and peace; to the honour of your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Hymn - Guide me, O my great Redeemer

Guide me, O my great Redeemer,
pilgrim through this barren land;
I am weak, but you are mighty;
hold me with your powerful hand.
Bread of heaven, bread of heaven,
feed me now and evermore,
feed me now and evermore.

Open now the crystal fountain,
where the healing waters flow.
Let the fire and cloudy pillar
lead me all my journey through.
Strong Deliverer, strong Deliverer,
ever be my strength and shield,
ever be my strength and shield.

When I tread the verge of Jordan,
bid my anxious fears subside.
Death of death, and hell's Destruction,
land me safe on Canaan's side.
Songs of praises, songs of praises
I will ever sing to you,
I will ever sing to you.

Arglwydd, arwain trwy'r anialwch 
William Williams, 1717-1791, translated Peter Williams, 1723-1796

Bible reading - Colonel Dickie Hawkins MBE. Commander JMC SE

A reading from the Gospel account of St Luke.

Jesus said, ‘No good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit; for each tree is known by its own fruit. Figs are not gathered from thorns, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. The good person out of the good treasure of the heart produces good, and the evil person out of evil treasure produces evil; for it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks.

Address given by The Venerable Stephen J H Dunwoody KHC CF. Archdeacon for the Army and Assistant Chaplain General Regional Command.

A Time of Prayer

Let us pray for all who suffer as a result of conflict, and ask that God may give us peace:

For the service men and women who have died in the violence of war, each one remembered by and known to God; may God give peace. God give peace.

For those who love them in death as in life, offering the distress of our grief and the sadness of our loss; may God give peace. God give peace.

For all members of the armed forces who are in danger this day, remembering family, friends and all who pray for their safe return; may God give peace. God give peace.

For civilian women, children and men whose lives are disfigured by war or terror, calling to mind in penitence the anger and hatreds of humanity; may God give peace. God give peace.

For peacemakers and peacekeepers, who seek to keep this world secure and free; may God give peace. God give peace.

For all who bear the burden and privilege of leadership, political, military and religious; asking for gifts of wisdom and resolve in the search for reconciliation and peace; may God give peace. God give peace.

O God of truth and justice, we hold before you those whose memory we cherish, and those whose names we will never know. Help us to lift our eyes above the torment of this broken world and grant us the grace to pray for those who wish us harm. As we honour the past, may we put our faith in your future; for you are the source of life and hope, now and for ever. Amen.

Let us pray together in the words our Saviour gave us,

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.

Act of Remembrance

• The Last Post
• Two Minutes silence
• Reveille

Act of Commitment

Let us commit ourselves to responsible living and faithful service.

Merciful God, we offer to you the fears in us that have not yet been cast out by love: may we accept the hope you have placed in the hearts of all people, and live lives of justice, courage and mercy; through Jesus Christ our risen redeemer. Amen.

The National Anthem

God save our gracious King!
Long live our noble King!
God save the King!

Send him victorious,
Happy and glorious,
Long to reign over us,
God save the King.

The Blessing

The Lord be with you
and also with you.

Go forth into the world in peace;
be of good courage;
hold fast that which is good;
render to no one evil for evil;
strengthen the faint hearted;
support the weak, help the afflicted;
honour everyone;
love and serve the Lord,
rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit,
and the blessing of God Almighty,
the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always. 

Amen

Recessional Music will conclude the service. Following this, the band will form up and march from the Drumhead.

History of the The Drumhead Altar

While in active service, armies and military personal have not always found themselves conveniently close to a church. Ever resourceful, a tradition in the British military arose that the drums of the regiment, could be stacked and form a temporary altar in the field, at which a Chaplain could lead a service that could offer some encouragement and peace to their soldiers.

Gathering today at this Armed Forces Day commemoration is important. We think of the many souls who have passed through this town since its establishment as a Garrison, making their way to campaigns and duties across our world as they did their bit to support and protect country, Empire and Commonwealth.

Across our Armed Forces, we remember those past and present who have gone the ‘extra mile’ for their brothers and sisters, sacrificing so much for the defence of our nation and the freedoms we enjoy. We think also of the families of the injured and fallen that have been left without their loved one, or who have had to adapt to a new way of living with disability and injury.

Before this Drumhead Altar we honour them by remembering them today.