Around 100 soldiers from the 1st Royal Tank Regiment (1RTR), many of them from Merseyside, will march through Liverpool this weekend to mark their return from service in Afghanistan.
The homecoming parade will begin at midday on Saturday, December 1, from the city’s Anglican Cathedral.
The event is an opportunity for soldiers of the regiment’s G Squadron to thank the people of Merseyside for their continuing support, particularly during their recent operations in Afghanistan.
The Regiment, which is based in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, does not have the Freedom of Liverpool but recruits from Merseyside. Soldiers from 1RTR’s D Squadron were the last to parade in the city in June 2010 following their safe return from Afghanistan earlier that year.
G Squadron recently returned from a six month tour in Helmand province where they used Mastiff armoured vehicles to provide both support and protection to Infantry soldiers.
Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Britton MBE, Commanding Officer of 1RTR, said: “This homecoming parade marks the end of a superb year and one in which the officers and soldiers of the 1st Royal Tank Regiment have demonstrated in spades, their leadership, flexibility, professionalism and highly developed skills and drills.
“This parade is an opportunity for friends and families of the Regiment, and the communities on whom we depend, to come out and show their support for the 1st and thank them for their efforts overseas this year. We merge with the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment in 2014, however I’m sure the Tankies’ relationship with Liverpool will continue to grow long into the future – the city remains an important recruitment area for us.”
The Lord Mayor of Liverpool Councillor Sharon Sullivan, added: “It is always a very proud moment for me, and I am sure for the people of Liverpool, when we see the various regiments marching through the city. I hope to encourage as many people as possible to come along and show support for our marvellous service personnel.”
