Parade to welcome soldiers home from Afghanistan (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Parade to welcome soldiers home from Afghanistan

11:00am Friday 19th March 2010

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SOLDIERS from Buckley Barracks are to be welcomed home to Malmesbury with a parade on their return from Afghanistan.

Crowds are expected to line the high street on May 5 as the members of 9 Regt, including Gurkhas, march through the town.

A medal ceremony in the Cross Hayes, a thanksgiving service at the Abbey and a reception at the town hall are being planned after mayor Catherine Doody approached the base with an invitation.

She told the Standard the idea was originally prompted by former mayor John Bowen, who died last year.

She explained: "It started with John. He said we shouldn’t forget Hullavington. He wanted there to be some recognition of the time the regiment had been there.

"That was in my head when I knew a lot of them had gone out to Afghanistan. I thought this would be an opportunity for Malmesbury to recognise not just the regiment here, but all of them out there."

The full itinerary is not yet being made public, but she said: "I am just hoping people will come out on the high street to see them. They have been very supportive of the town."

Royal British Legion chairman Derek Tilney was equally pleased. "It is something that we should not let pass."

Like many local members he often attends the repatriations of fallen servicemen. "Wootton Bassett is in our face. But once in a while there is a little bit of good news that they have come back safely and we have to celebrate that," he said. "They are part of the community."

Regimental Sergeant Major Stephen Johnson who is organising the parade although he has only just returned from Afghanistan, said they were delighted with the invitation. "We are quite looking forward to it."

The supply soldiers often help with the annual Poppy Appeal and turn out on parade for the Remembrance service at the abbey.

But he added: "We have been doing a lot of work with the local community to make them more aware that there is an army regiment nearby."

As well as hosting the start of the Afghan Heroes bike ride last Sunday, members have been working with hospitals in the district and making contacts with schools. They have even been out on patrol with police officers in Chippenham.

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