Sponsored by
Welcome home parade fit for heroes
THEY have risked their lives to serve their country – and now the bravery of the borough's soldiers will be recognised by South Tyneside's first homecoming celebration.
A ceremony is being held in South Shields on Sunday to welcome home five Terri-torial Army soldiers from Afghanistan and remember others who have served and lost their lives there and in other recent conflicts.
TA soldiers from 205 Battery Royal Artillery, based in Horsley Hill, South Shields, and the 12th Company of the 4th battalion Parachute Regiment (Volunteers) will march from Broughton Road to the town hall led by the Pipes and Drums of 101 Regiment.
Among them will be five TA members just back from serving for six months alongside their full-time counterparts in Afghanistan.
Lance Bombardier Gary Routledge, Gunner Philip Bradley, Sergeant Gary Borthwick and Bombardier Dave Smith were deployed to Helmand Province earlier this year as a unit, and Captain Steve Phillips, was sent to serve in another part of the country.
This was the first time the TA has deployed soldiers as a complete unit.
The parade also aims to recognise the contribution made by servicemen and women from the borough serving, or who have served, in Bosnia, Kosovo, Sierra Leone and Northern Ireland, as well as Afghanistan and Iraq.
Families of those who lost their lives in conflicts around the world will also be present.
The Mayor of South Tyneside, Coun John Anglin, said: "This ceremony will give the people of South Tyneside a chance to show their appreciation for the work our troops have been doing to help make our country more secure."
The parade will start at 12.30pm and will include Coun Anglin carrying out an inspection of the troops.
The event will also see the lowering of the Battery flag at the town hall, where it has been flying since the five men were sent to Afghanistan.
The flag will be handed over to battery commander Major Peter Winton.
Maj Winton, said: "The support given by South Tyneside Council to the soldiers from 205 Battery who have deployed on operations in Iraq and Afghanistan has been second to none."
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for South Shields
Tuesday 07 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -3 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: -2 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South
