The Mercian Regiment Home from Afghanistan

The Mercian Regiment - Welcome Home from Afghanistan

2nd Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Worcesters and Foresters) recently returned from a gruelling tour of duty in Afghanistan where they have been suppressing the insurgency in the troubled and dangerous Helmand Province. It has proved a difficult and demanding task and our troops were constantly under fire resulting in the loss of several of their brave comrades. The Regiment, like their forbearers The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment, have been granted the Freedom of The City of Nottingham and on the morning of Tuesday 4th December 2007, they exercised that honour by marching through the city streets. The day started with a service at St. Mary's Church to remember the nine soldiers who lost their lives in combat during the tour, and from there the parade marched down High Pavement, Middle Pavement, Low Pavement, Wheeler Gate, and Beastmarket Hill to The Old Market Square where the salute was taken by The Lord Lieutenant, the Lord Mayor and other dignitaries. The parade then disbanded in Queen Street and a Civic Reception followed in The Council House as a mark of thanks and appreciation for the brave efforts of these young soldiers. The event was very well supported by the general public and several thousand lined the streets and filled the square to welcome the lads home.

MISCELLANY HOME

SITE HOME PAGE

WELL DONE LADS - WELCOME HOME!

NM00200

NM00201

NM00202

NM00203

NM00204

NM00205

NM00206

NM00207

NM00208

NM00209

NM00210

NM00211

My 'battle plan' for the day was to see the parade off from St. Mary's and then cut through the Lace Market to intercept it on Long Row and cover the salute. However, there were so many people in Long Row when I arrived that I couldn't get anywhere near to the saluting point. The Nottingham Evening Post estimated that 10,000 people turned out to greet our soldiers. So, apologies for no close up shots of the salute.

NM00212

NM00213