A wave of public support for the Armed Forces has swelled recruitment and contributions to military charities such as the Poppy Appeal.

The number of men and women seeking to join the Army, Royal Navy and RAF rose by about 12 per cent even as British Forces continued to suffer casualties in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Thousands of people are attending parades to welcome military personnel home and parish ceremonies to pay their respects to servicemen and women killed in battle.

A charity song to raise money for wounded personnel has broken sales records – more than 200,000 copies sold in the first two days – and is expected to top the charts this weekend.

Sales of Remembrance Day poppies are expected to break last year’s record, when £30 million was raised; 36 million poppies have already been distributed, with more to follow.

A poll carried out for the Ministry of Defence and yet to be published suggests that there is new public enthusiasm for members of the Armed Forces.

Ipsos MORI found that 81 per cent had a favourable view, the highest level on record. The MoD’s first survey, in 2003, put support at 74 per cent.

In the 12 months to the end of June, 17,860 men and women joined the Services – 2,250 more than the previous year – and the number completing basic training jumped by 12.6 per cent, or an extra 1,830 personnel.

Bob Ainsworth, the Armed Forces Minister, said: “There has been a fantastic outpouring of public appreciation for our Armed Forces. It has been humbling to see the strength of feeling on our streets, thanking soldiers, sailors and airmen for their sacrifices, and applauding their heroism.”

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