Freedom of the City for much-loved regiment
THE 209 (The Manchester Artillery) Battery, 103rd Regiment Royal Artillery, will be awarded the Freedom of Manchester tomorrow.
The Freedom of the City is the highest honour Manchester can give.
The ceremony will take place in St Peter’s Square at 11am, and will see the regiment recognised for its extensive and valuable service to Manchester for 216 years.
After the ceremony, the public will have the opportunity to watch the regiment honour the momentous occasion by marching through the city centre with colours flying, drums beating and bayonets fixed.
The parade will depart St Peter’s Square, past the Cenotaph, then onto Princess Street, then Cross Street, onto St Mary’s Gate, Deansgate, Peter Street and finally left back to St Peter’s Square.
The Freedom of the
City has only been awarded six times this millennium.
Previous recipients include The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment (2006), broadcaster Tony Wilson (2007), United legend Sir
Bobby Charlton (2008), The GB Olympic and Paralympic Cycling Team (2008), 207 (Manchester) Field Hospital (Volunteers) (2011) and graphene pioneers Professor Sir Andre Geim and Professor Sir Konstantin Novoselov (2013).
The decision to award the Freedom of the City to the 209 (The Manchester Artillery) Battery, 103rd Regiment Royal Artillery was moved by the Lord Mayor last year.
The regiment has been in active service for some 216 years, serving in the Boer War, the First World War, Gallipoli, Sinai and on the Western Front.
Lord Mayor, Coun Tommy Judge, said: “It is a great privilege to award the 209 (The Manchester Artillery) Battery, 103rd Regiment Royal Artillery the Freedom of Manchester.
“I would like to congratulate and thank them for their hard work and commitment to the people of Manchester over such a long period.
“The significance of their work is integral to the history and indeed, the future of Manchester.
“It is a very proud moment as mayor, and as an ex-serviceman, to honour the 209 (The Manchester Artillery) Battery, 103rd Regiment Royal Artillery and to watch the parade.”