A TEA dance for Armed Forces veterans was held at the Princes Theatre last week.

Organised by the Clacton branch of the Royal British Legion and supported by Tendring Council, the event saw the ex-service personnel treated to food and drink and a war-time era performer to sing-along and dance to.

Among those at the event was 97-year-old D-Day veteran James Goss, from Clacton.

“I had a good time – it’s lovely to be able to get together,” the Legion D’Honneur holder said.

“These things always bring back memories – the good memories. You feel as though you’re wanted and it gives you some purpose. I look forward to it.”

The event included speeches by dignitaries, the Last Post and Reveille, and a playing of Sir Winston Churchill’s End of War speech.

Gloria Herbert, a veteran with more than 12-years’ service in the Women’s Royal Army Corps who served in Northern Ireland, Hong Kong and Germany, added that it was “fabulous” to have a mix of all the Services present.

“This is my first one and it’s lovely to be included, and for the council and community to remember its veterans like this,” she added.

Dan Casey, president of the Clacton Royal British Legion branch, said: “The Veterans’ Tea Dance is a great way to bring together ex-forces personnel from across the various services, and years – including some still from the Second World War – so they can meet like-minded people and share their memories and happy experiences.

“It’s also important for us as a community to thank veterans for their service, protecting our freedoms and way of life today.”

Council chairman Jeff Bray said it was a privilege to attend the tea dance.

He said: “I already had the utmost respect for our veterans, but having the opportunity to speak to them about their experiences has only reinforced that, and I salute them.”