Leeds Armed Forces Festival Returns with Tribute to Battle of Britain Pilot

June 10, 2026 Off By

Annual event features military-themed activities and honours local war hero

The Leeds Armed Forces Festival is set to take place this June, offering a series of events across the city to recognise and support the armed forces community. Central to the festival is a tribute to Wing Commander John Freeborn DFC and Bar, a distinguished Battle of Britain pilot born in Leeds.

Festival Overview and Key Events

Now in its third year, the Leeds Armed Forces Festival includes a variety of activities designed to engage the public with the history and contributions of the military. The festival is hosted by the Lord Mayor of Leeds and welcomes participation from serving personnel, veterans, reservists, cadets, and their families.

Notable events during the festival include:

Lotherton Hall 1940’s Weekend – taking place on 20-21 June, this event offers a historical experience related to the Second World War era.
Royal Armouries Exhibition – a new display in the War Gallery focusing on the firefighters of the Second World War.
Library Workshops – including a Commonwealth War Graves talk and handling sessions, such as a Barnbow munitions workshop at Crossgate Library.
Leeds Museum Displays – featuring special exhibitions on the First and Second World Wars with an emphasis on the home front.

Honouring Wing Commander John Freeborn

A key highlight of the festival will be the unveiling of a blue plaque by Leeds Civic Trust in memory of Wing Commander John Freeborn. Freeborn was one of the pilots known as “The Few” who fought in the Battle of Britain during the Second World War.

Born in Leeds, Freeborn flew with 74 Squadron during the critical spring and summer months of 1940, including the air battles over Dunkirk. He is noted for having flown more operational hours than any other Battle of Britain pilot. After his time with 74 Squadron, he served as a training and test pilot, later becoming one of the youngest RAF Wing Commanders and flying operations in Italy.

Throughout his service, Freeborn flew forty-two different types of aircraft and left the RAF in 1946, continuing in the reserves for two years.

Main Armed Forces Day Event

The festival will culminate on Sunday, 28 June, with the main Armed Forces Day event. The day will begin with a parade through Leeds city centre featuring military personnel, veterans, and cadets. The parade will start at Victoria Gardens outside the Art Gallery and proceed to Briggate, where the Lord Mayor will take the salute. The West Yorkshire Police Band will provide musical accompaniment.

Between 11am and 4pm on Briggate, visitors can expect a range of family-friendly activities including:

Street entertainers
A climbing wall
Live performances by the West Yorkshire Police Band and City of Leeds Pipe Band
Music from former “The Voice UK” contestant Rachel Modest
Performances by the Daisy Belles

Statements from the Lord Mayor

Councillor Stephen Holroyd, Lord Mayor of Leeds, emphasised the importance of the festival as an opportunity to show appreciation for the armed forces community. He highlighted Leeds’ longstanding tradition of supporting service members and expressed his hope that many people would attend the events.