As Remembrance Sunday approaches, Glastonbury's own Ray Tillbrook, a Royal Air Force veteran, is preparing for an emotional march past the Cenotaph in Whitehall.

Ray, who served in the RAF for three decades until 2005, will join a 50-strong group representing SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, to honour those who have served and sacrificed for the country.

For Ray, this year's march will be particularly poignant. He'll be stepping out in memory of his late wife, Yvonne "Bonnie" Tillbrook, who he met while they were both working for the RAF. Bonnie worked with the Ministry of Defence (MOD) as a Telephone Supervisor and later as a Communications Manager, dedicating over 20 years to supporting veteran causes and fundraising in their local community. The couple married in June 1989 at RAF Locking, a symbolic start to a life steeped in service. Bonnie passed away earlier this year.

"We always watched and attended remembrance events together," Ray shared. "She would have loved to see me marching this year. Part of why I'm there is in memory of my wife, Bonnie."

Ray's father, another inspiration behind his participation, was a soldier who served across North Africa, Italy, Normandy, and Germany during the Second World War before being demobilised in 1946. Ray recalls his father taking him and his brother to London to see the Cenotaph ceremony in person in the 1950s. The experience made a lasting impression on him, particularly as his father would reminisce about his wartime experiences and the friends he'd lost.

"When I was thirteen, it was compulsory to join the Combined Cadet Force (CCF) at my school," Ray recalled. "I remember my father going into the loft to bring out all the kit I'd need – he even spent days polishing the dimples off my boots to get them that guardsman shine."

Ray added, "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."

The annual march-past at the Cenotaph is the heart of Remembrance Sunday, with veterans and serving military personnel gathering to honour those who have served. The march-past in Whitehall is marked by hundreds of veterans who take their places alongside current service members in a ceremony that draws people together in reflection. SSAFA, the charity Ray is marching with, has supported the Armed Forces family since 1885, providing a lifeline for service members and veterans alike.

SSAFA's mission is to be there for the Armed Forces family whenever they are in need, offering support regardless of rank, regiment, or role. Anyone seeking help from SSAFA can find out more at ssafa.org.uk/get-help.

This Sunday, as Glastonbury joins the nation in marking Remembrance Sunday, Ray Tillbrook will march with pride at the Cenotaph, honouring the memories of his loved ones and paying tribute to all who served.