Grenadier Guards Association - Kent Branch

Branch Annual Dinner
2026-09-12 18:30 - 23:00 (Europe/London) | Masonic Hall, Windmill Street, Hythe, Kent, CT21 6BH, United Kingdom
In celebration of our 78th year as a Branch, we are in the process of organising our Annual Dinner 2026.
We welcome attendance from all Branch members, the widows of former Branch members, and our many “Friends of the Branch”.
We also welcome applications from fellow Grenadiers and the widows of former Grenadiers irrespective of whether they are, or are not, living or working in Kent, or are members of our Branch or the wider Association.
ONCE A GRENADIER, ALWAYS A GRENADIER!

Booking: During 2026, booking pro formas will be emailed, or posted, to all Branch members and to Friends of the Branch for whom we have contact details and who have attended previously. Completed pro formas, with payment, should be returned soonest thereafter and certainly no later than by 1700 hrs on Monday 31 August 2026. Other Grenadiers wanting to attend and be added to our planning list, are requested to send their details to us via our Contact Us page so that we may communicate further with you.
Venue: The Masonic Hall, Windmill Street, Hythe, Kent CT21 6BH
Timings: 1830 for 1900 hrs
Cost: This has yet to be costed, but – like in previous years – will be as “affordable” as we can make it.
Drinks: Port will be served at the table for the Loyal Toasts. Guests are kindly requested to purchase any additional beverages from the bar.
Dress: Lounge suit, or jacket/blazer, collar and tie for gentlemen and cocktail style dress or equivalent for ladies.
Menu: As our planning progresses, a pre-booked choice of starter, main course and sweet will be published. In addition there will be a cheese board, mints with tea or coffee served.

13/09/2025 | Masonic Hall, Hythe, KentBRANCH ANNUAL DINNER0000Days00Hrs00Min00Sec

Remembrance Sunday Parade (Hythe)
2026-11-08 10:20 - 12:00 | Hythe War Memorial, Located next to the Royal Military Canal, The Grove, Prospect Road, Hythe, Kent, CT21 5NL, United Kingdom
Remembrance Sunday is held in the United Kingdom as a day to commemorate the contribution of British and Commonwealth military and civilian servicemen and women in the two World Wars and later conflicts.
It is held at 11 am on the second Sunday in November (the Sunday nearest to 11 November, Armistice Day, the anniversary of the end of hostilities in the First World War in 1918).
It is marked by ceremonies at local war memorials in most cities, towns and villages, attended by civic dignitaries, ex-servicemen and women (many are members of the Royal British Legion and other veterans’ organisations), members of local armed forces regular and reserve units (Royal Navy and Royal Naval Reserve, Royal Marines and Royal Marines Reserve, Army and Territorial Army, Royal Air Force and Royal Auxiliary Air Force), military cadet forces (Sea Cadet Corps, Army Cadet Force and Air Training Corps as well as the Combined Cadet Force) and youth organisations (e.g. Scouts, Boys’ Brigade, Girls’ Brigade and Guides). Representatives of the Judiciary also lay wreaths at local War Memorials throughout the country. Wreaths of remembrance poppies are laid on the memorials and two minutes’ silence is held at 11 am. Church bells are usually rung half-muffled, creating a sombre effect. The service is held for about two hours.
Hythe Service – The Kent Branch will attend the commemoration at the War Memorial in Hythe, Kent.
Members are requested to assemble by 1020 hrs on the south side of Ladies Walk Bridge. We will then be formed up, by the Parade Marshall, ready to march onto parade.
Branch members and Branch Banner in attendance, please.

Armistice Day
2026-11-11
Armistice Day, observed each year on 11 November, marks one of the most significant moments in modern history: the end of the First World War. At 11 a.m. on 11 November 1918, the guns finally fell silent on the Western Front after more than four years of unimaginable suffering. The Armistice signed between the Allies and Germany brought hostilities to a close and offered the world its first fragile glimpse of peace.
More than a century later, Armistice Day remains a solemn and unifying moment for the nation. It is a day not only to remember the fallen of the First World War, but to honour all who have served, suffered, or sacrificed in conflicts since.
The Two Minutes’ Silence
At the heart of Armistice Day is the Two Minutes’ Silence at 11 a.m. This simple act of collective stillness—observed in workplaces, schools, homes, and on streets across the country – allows us to pause and reflect. In those quiet moments, we acknowledge the courage of those who served, the grief of families left behind, and the enduring cost of war.
The silence is a reminder that remembrance is not passive. It is a choice to honour the past and to recognise the responsibilities of the present.
The Symbol of the Poppy
The red poppy has become the enduring emblem of remembrance. Inspired by the flowers that grew on the battlefields of Flanders, the poppy represents both the sacrifice of the fallen and the hope for a more peaceful future.
Wearing a poppy is a personal act of remembrance – an expression of gratitude, respect, and reflection.
Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday
Although closely linked, Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday serve distinct purposes:

Armistice Day Always on 11 November, marking the exact moment the First World War ended.
Remembrance Sunday Held on the second Sunday of November, when the nation gathers for formal services, including the ceremony at the Cenotaph in Whitehall.

Many communities, regiments, and associations observe both, ensuring that remembrance is both personal and collective.
Why Armistice Day Still Matters
Armistice Day endures because the values it represents—service, sacrifice, duty, and peace – remain as relevant today as they were in 1918. It reminds us that behind every name on a memorial lies a story: a life lived, a family changed forever, a sacrifice made in the hope of a better world.
For organisations, associations, and communities with deep military heritage, Armistice Day is not only a historical milestone but a living tradition. It is a moment to honour those who came before us and to reaffirm our commitment to ensuring their stories are never forgotten.
A Shared Act of Remembrance
Whether observed in a crowded town square, at a regimental memorial, or quietly at home, Armistice Day belongs to everyone. It is a day when the nation stands together—united in gratitude, reflection, and remembrance.

November 2026 Branch Meeting
2026-11-15 11:15 | Hythe Sports & Social Club, 2 St Leonards Road, Hythe, Kent, CT21 6EN, United Kingdom
Scheduled date of our bi-monthly Branch meeting.
Please note the 1115 hrs start time.
In addition to physical attendance, the Hon. Secretary will organise a Microsoft Teams meeting for members, plus any Branch widows and Friends of the Branch who would like to attend it. Please contact the Hon. Secretary (info@kentgrenadiers.co.uk) if you are in one of those categories and wish to receive a Microsoft Teams invite.
Members are requested to notify the Hon. Secretary if they cannot attend physically or via Microsoft Teams.
An after-meeting Sunday luncheon and raffle will also be organised and held at a venue nearby. Profits from the after-luncheon raffle will be donated to charity.
Hythe Sports & Social Club and online via Microsoft Teams | Sunday 15/11/2026NOVEMBER 2026 BRANCH MEETING0000Days00Hrs00Min00Sec

Branch Christmas Function
2026-12-05 18:15 | Masonic Hall, Windmill Street, Hythe, Kent, CT21 6BH, United Kingdom
Our Christmas Function is being held this evening (Saturday 05 December 2026):

Timings: 1815 hrs for a 1900 hrs start
Venue: The Masonic Hall, Windmill Street, Hythe
Grand Buffet and Raffle
Entertainment is Georgie Taylor, a versatile singer and performer known for her dynamic range and engaging performances across various musical genres.

05/12/2026 | Masonic Hall, Hythe, KentBRANCH CHRISTMAS FUNCTION0000Days00Hrs00Min00Sec

January 2027 Branch Meeting
2027-01-17 11:15 - 12:00 | Hythe Sports & Social Club, 2 St Leonards Road, Hythe, Kent, CT21 6EN, United Kingdom
Scheduled date of our bi-monthly Branch meeting.
Please note the 1115 hrs start time.
In addition to physical attendance, the Hon. Secretary will organise a Microsoft Teams meeting for members, plus any Branch widows and Friends of the Branch who would like to attend it. Please contact the Hon. Secretary (info@kentgrenadiers.co.uk) if you are in one of those categories and wish to receive a Microsoft Teams invite.
Members are requested to notify the Hon. Secretary if they cannot attend physically or via Microsoft Teams.
An after-meeting Sunday luncheon and raffle will also be organised and held at a venue nearby. Profits from the after-luncheon raffle will be donated to charity.
Hythe Sports & Social Club and online via Microsoft Teams | Sunday 17/01/2027JANUARY 2027 BRANCH MEETING0000Days00Hrs00Min00Sec

Branch AGM & March 2027 Meeting
2027-03-21 11:15 - 12:00 | Hythe Sports & Social Club, 2 St Leonards Road, Hythe, Kent, CT21 6EN, United Kingdom
This is the scheduled date of our 2027 Annual General Meeting which will be followed by our bi-monthly Branch meeting.
Please note the 1115 hrs start time.
In addition to physical attendance, the Hon. Secretary will organise a Microsoft Teams meeting for members, plus any Branch widows and Friends of the Branch who would like to attend it. Please contact the Hon. Secretary (info@kentgrenadiers.co.uk) if you are in one of those categories and wish to receive a Microsoft Teams invite.
Members are requested to notify the Hon. Secretary if they cannot attend physically or via Microsoft Teams.
An after-meeting Sunday luncheon and raffle will also be organised and held at a venue nearby. Profits from the after-luncheon raffle will be donated to charity.
Hythe Sports & Social Club and online via Microsoft Teams | Sunday 21/03/2027MARCH 2027 AGM & BRANCH MEETING0000Days00Hrs00Min00Sec

May 2027 Branch Meeting
2027-05-09 11:15 | Hythe Sports & Social Club, 2 St Leonards Road, Hythe, Kent, CT21 6EN, United Kingdom
This is the scheduled date of our bi-monthly Branch meeting. It is held one week earlier than our usual 3rd Sunday of the month pattern. This ensures we deconflict with Black Sunday; which is forecast to be on Sunday 16 May 2027.
Please note the 1115 hrs start time.
In addition to physical attendance, the Hon. Secretary will organise a Microsoft Teams meeting for members, plus any Branch widows and Friends of the Branch who would like to attend it. Please contact the Hon. Secretary (info@kentgrenadiers.co.uk) if you are in one of those categories and wish to receive a Microsoft Teams invite.
Members are requested to notify the Hon. Secretary if they cannot attend physically or via Microsoft Teams.
An after-meeting Sunday luncheon and raffle is to be organised and held at a nearby venue. More details on lunch will be sent to our members and regular attendees. Profits from the after-luncheon raffle will be donated to charity.
Hythe Sports & Social Club and online via Microsoft Teams | Sunday 09/05/2027MAY 2027 BRANCH MEETING0000Days00Hrs00Min00Sec

Black Sunday 2027
2027-05-15 12:00 - 19:00 | Wellington Barracks, Birdcage Walk, London, SW1E 6HQ, United Kingdom
Black Sunday is the annual Regimental Remembrance Day for the Grenadier Guards, bringing together serving personnel, veterans, and families at Wellington Barracks in London to honor their fallen. The 2027 event is expected to take place on Sunday 16 May 2027, following the historical pattern of holding the parade on the third Sunday of May.
The day will begin with a service in the Guards Chapel, followed by a parade at the Guards Memorial. The Regimental Lieutenant Colonel warmly invites all Grenadiers, past and present, along with their families, to join us in honouring and remembering our fallen comrades.
Further details will be shared in due course.
