26 September 2007
City of London to welcome the troops home from Afghanistan with
medal parade
More than 140 returning troops from Afghanistan will be
welcomed home on Sunday 14 October, with a Guildhall medal parade
reviewed by the City of London Lord Mayor John Stuttard, former
Lord Mayor and Hon Colonel of The London Regiment Sir Michael
Savory, and Guildhall Chief Commoner Pauline Halliday.
"Somme Company", which has served six months on operations, is
made up of TA soldiers of The London Regiment and other units,
regular reservists and also 26 Grenadier Guards - part of 12
Mechanised Brigade. "Our soldiers risk their lives for the values
we all hold dear and the City is proud to welcome them home," said
Lord Mayor Stuttard, whose main role as elected head of the City of
London Corporation is to represent the UK-based financial services
industry.
"The sacrifice and dedication of British troops deserves wide
recognition and the Covenant with our armed forces would be much
strengthened if towns and cities across the UK could find public
ways of saying "thank you", said the Lord Mayor.
Both The London Regiment the Grenadier Guards are among the
privileged regiments allowed to march with colours in the City, but
more than 170 military units have special connections with the City
of London, now the Square Mile business district, following
centuries of support. The November Lord Mayor's Show traditionally
has a large military component.
The soldiers taking part will have returned just before from
active service and those parading will include at least 80 TA
soldiers.
Ends
More army information from Major Giles Morgan on 07711 069
661
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