Royals on barracks and bridge duty in county
THE FIRMIN Sword of Peace was presented to York-based 2nd Signal Regiment by The Princess Royal at a parade at Imphal Barracks.
Cpl Prembahadur Gurung of 246 Gurkha Signal Squadron received the sword on behalf of the Regiment for its work in 2015.
The Firmin Sword is presented annually to the military unit or ship which has made the most valuable contribution to humanitarian causes.
In 2015, 2 Signal Regiment was involved in international operations including Sierra Leone, Nepal and the Falkland Islands.
It also raised nearly £160,000 for charity and at the end of the year, despite being on Christmas leave, half its personnel were mobilised to assist flood relief efforts in the county.
Colonel Ian Hargreaves, the
It is wonderful recognition for the Princess Royal to present this sword Col Ian Hargreaves Former CO of 2 Signal Regt
former Commanding Officer of 2 Signal Regiment, said “It was a really, really busy year for the regiment both within the UK and also overseas and it is wonderful recognition for the Princess Royal to present this sword.”
The Princess Royal visited the Kohima Museum in the barracks which commemorates the Second World War Burma campaign before meeting signallers showing off equipment and vehicles.
Meanwhile the Duke of York visited Tadcaster and its bridge which reopened in February after being severely damaged in the 2015 floods.
He also gave a reading at a service at York Minster to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the York Minster Fund - marking 50 years since the fund was formed to raise money to stop the cathedral’s Central Tower from collapsing.