Call to city for more military parades

TROOPS WHO paraded through a Yorkshire city have issued a call for more military marches to be held to honour the Armed Forces.

Soldiers received a rousing reception when they passed through the centre of Sheffield last month, the first time in 15 years that the 106 Field Squadron Royal Engineers, based at Bailey Barracks in Greenhill, had exercised their freedom of the city.

The squadron said it was delighted with the public response on April 22, and added the four other military units given the Freedom of Sheffield should also get the opportunity.

Nigel Hogg, the squadron’s administration officer, said: “The soldiers are very proud to parade through their home city and interact with members of the public. My suggestion is the freedom parade is made an annual event, and we do it on rotation with the other units.”

The other units granted the Freedom of Sheffield include the First Regiment of the Royal Horse Artillery, better known as the Chestnut Troop, the 38th Signal Regiment Volunteers, 212 Yorkshire Field Hospital and the Yorkshire Regiment.

The Duke of Wellington’s Regiment was also granted the honour before it was amalgamated into the Yorkshire Regiment as well as HMS Sheffield before it was decommissioned.

The Freedom of Sheffield is a ceremonial title, but gives recipients the right to march through the city with bayonets fixed, bands playing and colours flying.

Sheffield Council said it would be for the military to decide if they wanted to exercise their right for a further freedom parade.