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RAF Honington, near Bury St Edmunds, welcomes over 80 veterans for Christmas lunch including 104-year-old

By Martyna Wiecha
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martyna.wiecha@iliffepublishing.co.uk
Published: 15:13, 06 December 2023
 | Updated: 15:48, 06 December 2023

A 104-year-old joins Suffolk veterans for an annual Christmas lunch to celebrate the festive season.

The event, which was held at RAF Honington, near Bury St Edmunds, took place yesterday – serving lunch to over 80 veterans of the army, navy and air force.

Joining the lunch was also John Franklin, who at 104, was the oldest guest.

Over 80 veterans from the county gathered for a Christmas lunch at RAF Honington, near Bury St Edmunds. Picture: RAF Honington
Over 80 veterans from the county gathered for a Christmas lunch at RAF Honington, near Bury St Edmunds. Picture: RAF Honington
Joining the meal was John Franklin, who at 104, was the oldest guest. Pictured: John Franklin from the right. Picture: RAF Honington
Joining the meal was John Franklin, who at 104, was the oldest guest. Pictured: John Franklin from the right. Picture: RAF Honington
Family members also attended. Picture: RAF Honington
Family members also attended. Picture: RAF Honington

Family members also joined the meal – all who were greeted with music from The Honington Military Wives Choir and RAF Honington Voluntary Band.

Declan Geraghty, community manager at the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund, said: “It is wonderful to be able to bring such a large number of our veterans together and see then having such a wonderful time.”

He added that he believes the Christmas meal – funded by Royal Air Force Benevolent – is the largest event organised for veterans.

Bury St Edmunds Human Interest Suffolk Homepage Martyna Wiecha