Rayleigh and Wickford MP, Mark Francois, who served as a TA infantry officer in the Royal Anglian Regiment during the Cold War, met soldiers from his old unit - including someone who had served under him as a young officer - when he visited a major event held in support of Armed Forces Week last weekend.
Mark officially opened the event on Saturday 21st June, which was organised by Dan Rogers and his team from the Essex Military Support Association (EMSA). The two day show, which was held at Barleylands near Billericay, received thousands of visitors from across the county of Essex, included a large number of military displays and a fly past by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and an air display by vintage WW1 aircraft as well.
Mark toured around the stands, accompanied by Lord Petre, the Lord Lieutenant of Essex, and spoke to many of the military personnel taking part. One of the stands was manned by soldiers of the 3rd Battalion the Royal Anglian Regiment and Army Reserve Battalion, whilst there, Mark met with Sergeant Major Paul Cavadasca, who is now a senior non-commissioned officer in the Regiment but who back in the 1980’s was a young Lance Corporal under Mark’s command.
Anyone wishing to join the Royal Anglian Regiment should contact 01245 462301.
Commenting on the event and his impromptu reunion with members of his old regiment, Mark said:
"The Essex Military Support Association did a brilliant job at organising such a big event over two days to allow people from across the county to show support for our Armed Forces. Lots of different regiments had stands there but, as a former Royal Anglian, it was a particular pleasure to meet people from my old Regiment and to introduce some of them to the Lord Lieutenant. I would like to complement ESMA for a really cracking weekend which helped to recognise the wonderful work that our Armed Forces do to help keep us safe and free."