Aldershot Town have provided 300 free tickets for members of Aldershot Garrison to enjoy The Shots’ home game against AFC Fylde on Saturday 11 November as part of the Club’s celebration of Remembrance Sunday.
The latest event in Aldershot Town’s Seats For Soldiers initiative, the tickets have been donated in conjunction with the Club’s major sponsors, EBB Paper, Bridges Estate Agents, Reade Signs, Charters of Aldershot, ELM Group, Grainger PLC, Millgrove Construction, Gluco Rx and Barons Farnborough BMW & MINI.
The Club will also welcome members of the Aldershot Branch of the Royal British Legion, who will make a collection for the 2017 Poppy Appeal, dignitaries from the British and Pakistani Armed Forces, local community leaders, councillors and politicians, plus standard bearers and members of local Cadet Forces to form a Guard of Honour for the two teams and act as ballboys.
The Club are also launching a special ‘BAFTA’ Day, to encourage supporters to Bring A Friend To Aldershot and recreate the renowned atmosphere of the Club’s legendary Tour of Duty away days. The Club have been informed that a special Remembrance Day display is being created by fans on the East Bank terrace and are appealing for regular supporters to help give Gary Waddock’s team an extra boost by bringing friends, family members or work colleagues to enjoy the day with them.
The match will be preceded by a lone bugler playing the Last Post and sounding Reveille following a minute’s silence. All players will wear specially-embossed poppy shirts for the match, which will then be auctioned by the Club.
“It is once again a great honour to help our local community recognise and commemorate our links with the British Army, and thank Armed Forces from around the world for the sacrifices they make on our behalf,” said Aldershot Town Chairman Shahid Azeem. “We are delighted to be able to donate 300 free tickets to members of the Garrison and hope that they enjoy their day with us.”
“Aldershot Town are a major partner in the Garrison’s community work, and our relationship continues to grow stronger,” explained Garrison Commander, Col Nigel MacGregor. “We are hugely grateful for their annual support of the Poppy Appeal and commitment to the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant, and these free tickets are a fantastic gesture from the Club and its sponsors.”
Aldershot Town particularly wish to remember the centenary of the Third Battle of Ypres – better known as Passchendaele – which was fought from 31 July to 10 November 1917. Fourteen of the 44 British Divisions which fought at Passchendaele were either raised or trained in Aldershot, with 39 residents of Aldershot and Farnborough losing their lives amongst a total number of casualties which reached over 438,000 across both sides.
Three Aldershot soldiers received particular commendation for their bravery during the Battle: Second Lieutenant Alfred Maurice Toye, born on Stanhope Lines and a member of the Middlesex Regiment, who was awarded the Military Cross “for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty” in maintaining lines of communication under heavy fire; Sergeant Frederick Tanner, of 141 Holly Road, Aldershot, who was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for continuing torpedo fire despite twice being wounded by close-range attack; and Sergeant Bernard W Ensor, of 75 York Road, Aldershot, who was awarded the Military Medal for taking control of two sections and holding their position for 48 hours after all of his superiors were put out of action.
