Tulip Talk with Jan Whitbourn

Brian Payne has been an armed forces standard bearer for the Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and south Yorkshire area since 2000.

Brain was not in the Armed Forces but he is part of the Royal Naval Association and has represented them at many Armed Forces events.

Brain paraded at the 90th anniversary celebration for the battle of the Somme, The Arc-De-Triumph and competed at the National Standard Bearers Competition in Portsmouth.

On November 11, 2014, Brain was the only standard bearer representative for the Armed Forces at the Menin Gate in Ypres, Belgium, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War. He told us there were over 3,000 people on the parade and 15,000 people approximately lining the streets.

While celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Normandy invasion, Brian was invited along to parade at Bayvex Cemetery to commemorate the Canadian, British and American Armed Forces personnel who lost their lives in battle.

Away from his standard bearer duties, Brian is regularly involved with the Royal British Legion and has attended many local and national events. His proudest moment came when he was invited to represent the Royal British Legion at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the National Cemetery in Arlington.

He regularly attends many of the local Armed Forces events, parades and, sadly funerals of those personnel who have passed away. Brian visits RAF Cranwell four times a year for their Festival of Remembrance and walked the London Mall in honour of her Majesty the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations.

To listen to Brian’s interview, go to www.tulip-radio.co.uk, podcast section.