Glastonbury veteran to take part in Remembrance Sunday march at Cenotaph

Phoebe Hobbs

9 November 2024 at 1:00 am·2-min read

Ray and Bonnie met in 1989 and married that same year in a RAF church. — -Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)

A Glastonbury veteran who served in the Royal Air Force for 30 years will be taking part in the annual 'March Past' the Cenotaph in London this Remembrance Sunday. Ray Tillbrook, who retired from the RAF in 2005, said: “So many memories surface every November. My wife, my father, and my father-in-law are three reasons why I am marching this Remembrance Sunday.”

Ray met his wife Yvonne "Bonnie" Tillbrook in 1989 while serving in the RAF and were wed that same year in a RAF church at RAF Locking. Bonnie worked at different points as a Telephone Supervisor and Communications Manager for the Ministry of Defence, as well as fundraising for veterans' causes for 20 years in the local community.

Bonnie passed away earlier this year. Ray said: “We always watched and attended remembrance events together, and she would have loved to watch this year with me attending. This year, part of why I’m marching is in memory of my wife, Bonnie.”

Both Ray's father and father-in-law were veterans. His father was a solider during World War II, serving campaigns in Italy, Normandy and Germany until he was demobilized in 1946. During the 50s, Ray's father took him to see the National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph.

Ray will be marching with around 50 other veterans and SSAFA (Soldiers', Sailors', and Airmen's Families Association), an charity that supports people in the armed forces, veterans, and their families. Their Somerset branch is in Weston-Super-Mare.

Whether serving or veteran, regular or reserve, people who are or have been in the armed services can seek support from SSAFA online. If you need help urgently, you can call Forcesline on 0800 260 6780 or use SSAFA's live chat service from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Remembrance Sunday will be taking place this weekend on Sunday, November 10.

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