War Widows Association of Great Britain

26/07/2026

It was an honour and privilege to represent the Association at this very moving service yesterday. An even bigger honour to be in the presence of Korean War Veteran Adam McKenzie.

11/07/2026

We've just spent 2 baking hot days with some of our members in the lovely city of Lichfield, visiting the Cathedral and the National Memorial Arboretum. We took advantage of the buggy rides so that we could enjoy the memorials more comfortably.

Thank you to our hosts - you were so welcoming!

Thankfully, nobody succumbed to the heat but I'm led to believe that most gave in to the ice cream 😂🍦

28/06/2026

More photos of Dundee Armed Forces Day and our representative Nikki Jones. Photos courtesy of May Wightman.

27/06/2026

What an amazing turnout in Scotland’s capital today where we were represented by our Secretary.

27/06/2026

Delighted to see our very own Rev Bob along with the Lord Provost of Dundee at in Dundee, where we were represented by Nikki Jones 😊

The Armed Forces Day 2026 flag raising ceremony in Dundee took place in City Square on Monday 22nd June. Following a short ceremony, the flag was hung from the balcony outside the City Chambers overlooking City Square.

27/06/2026

💙

💙 The Strength Behind the Service

As we mark Armed Forces Week, we recognise not only those who serve, but also the families who stand beside them every step of the way.

Military life often brings unique challenges—deployments, relocations, missed milestones and time spent apart. Through it all, spouses, partners, children, parents and loved ones provide the strength, support and encouragement that help service personnel and veterans face whatever comes their way.

Their sacrifices may not always be visible, but their contribution is invaluable.

Today, we extend our heartfelt thanks to military families across Scotland and beyond. Your resilience, understanding and unwavering support are an essential part of the Armed Forces community.

Join us in celebrating the families behind the uniform and the vital role they play every day.

Leave a 💙 in the comments to show your appreciation for military families.

©UK MOD Crown Copyright

27/06/2026

It’s and we have representatives at events in Edinburgh and Dundee. Where are you celebrating- let us know and send us photos!!

24/06/2026

💔

A staggering 9 in 10 (91%) serving personnel have missed a monumental life milestone because of their military service, according to research commissioned by SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity.

Seeing their child take their first steps (29%) topped the list, along with the birth of a new baby (21%), saying goodbye to a dying family member (21%) and missing funerals of close family (20%) and friends (18%).

One in six (17%) have even missed their own wedding and had to reschedule as a result.

The research, released to mark 2026, highlights the stark sacrifices that our Armed Forces personnel must make in order to serve King and country.

Reasons for serving spouses and partners missing these moments include deployments (27%), being stationed overseas (29%) or miles away from family and friends (27%) or attending training courses (32%).

However, it’s also the families of the personnel left behind who shoulder sacrifices of a different kind too. Partners of serving personnel and veterans confessed they’ve experienced loneliness (44%), isolation (28%), interrupted career progression (33%) and almost a quarter feel a loss of identity (24%).

Missing family and friends (36%), parenting alone (33%) and frequent relocations (24%) rank as some of the hardest challenges military families face as a result of their loved one’s service. For over a third (35%) being unable to make plans in advance and the unpredictability (26%) were also tough situations military families find themselves in.

Yet, despite navigating these major sacrifices, nearly three quarters (73%) feel the sacrifices are worth it to see their serving person defend their country and wear their uniform with pride (75%). 72% are grateful for the opportunities the military provides and are proud to belong to the wider Armed Forces community (73%).

Ahead of Armed Forces Day (Saturday 27 June 2026), SSAFA is calling on the public to honour military families and their sacrifice and to show our support for the brave men and women who serve in every branch of the military, to ensure the charity can continue to be there for Armed Forces families as it has been for over 140 years.