Warminster Medals Parade

A mixture of pride and sorrow met on the parade ground of

Battlesbury Barracks this morning.  High

temperatures and unlimited sunshine greeted the ranks of the 3rd

Battalion, the Yorkshire Regiment (Duke of Wellingtons) when they formed up for the ceremonial presentation

of their Afghan medals.

 There was pride in the job they had done and sorrow for the

colleagues who had not made it home.  “Each

and every soldier on parade today has made a unique and valued contribution to operations

in Helmand over the last 12 months", said

Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Tom Vallings.

 Deputy Colonel in Chief of the Regiment, Brigadier His Grace

the Duke of Wellington presented the medals together with General Sir Evelyn

Webb-Carter. 

In his speech to the Regiment the Duke remembered the

soldiers who had given their lives in the campaign and a minute’s silence was held

in their memory.  Col Vallings spoke of

the bond between Warminster and the Regiment and welcomed the Mayor, Cllr Sue Fraser, Deputy Mayor Cllr Pip Ridout and last year’s mayor, Cllr Tony

Nicklin.

New Colours which had been

presented to the Regiment in June were on parade and were marched past the dais

where the Colonel in Chief took the salute.

 One of the soldiers receiving his medal was Cpl Andrew Reid,

a triple amputee.  He was wheeled onto

the parade ground but stood to receive his medal and walked off the parade

ground unaided.  All spectators rose to

their feet and applauded.

For more pics see Galleries

 ttp://www.warminsterpeople.co.uk/pictures/Afghan-Medals-Parade-1/pictures-5498161-detail/pictures.html

http://www.warminsterpeople.co.uk/pictures/Afghan-Medals-Parade-2/pictures-5499244-detail/pictures.html