HUNDREDS of people lined the streets of Warwick to welcome soldiers from the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.
Members of the Second Battalion paraded through the town centre on Friday (June 6) having been awarded the Freedom of Warwickshire.
Following an inspection outside Shire Hall, the parade went down Church Street, onto High Street before heading back up Swan Street to Market Place, where the majority of people had gathered.
Lieutenant Colonel Jim Taylor MBE, Commanding Officer of the Second Battalion, said: “We are honoured to receive the Freedom of the County of Warwickshire. It is a great privilege for me to lead my soldiers on this auspicious occasion.
“The Second Fusiliers has a long affiliation with Warwickshire. We trace our lineage directly back to the Second Battalion of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment who performed magnificently in the D-Day landings. It is therefore fitting that the parade falls on the 70th anniversary of this momentous achievement.”
Warwickshire is the second county area to grant the freedom of a county to the Regiment of Fusiliers, following Northumberland in 2010, although the Warwickshire Regiment of Fusiliers was granted the Freedom of Warwick District last year, which saw them parade down Leamington Parade which was lined with thousands of cheering well-wishers.
Hundreds turned out in the sunshine to welcome the Fusiliers to the town. 24.014.004.leam.jm4
Soldiers march past Shire Hall onto Market Place. 24.014.004.leam.jm17
Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, was in Warwick in his role as Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers. 24.014.004.leam.jm25
The Duke of Kent inspects the troops. 24.014.004.leam.jm31
Some of the Fusiliers carried ceremonial axes. 24.014.004.leam.jm13
The band of the Royal Gurkha Rifles accompanied the Fusiliers. 24.014.004.leam.jm15
Those in the crowd waved Union Flags to welcome the soldiers. 24.014.004.leam.jm6
Children from Westgate Primary School greet the troops. 24.014.004.leam.jm42
