Crowds cheer Freedom parade heroes
AROUND 1,000 people turned out to catch a glimpse of the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment marching through Haslingden.
The Union Jack bunting was out for the regiment, which was granted the Freedom of Haslingden in 1964, as they began the parade from Regent Street at 12noon on July 21, stopping to salute at the war memorial.
It was attended by Mayor of Rossendale Granville Morris, and up to a thousand onlookers and pupils from local schools, including Haslingden Primary School and Rainbow Childcare turned out to wave flags and support the troops.
The regiment band performed for the crowds as mounted cavalry led the procession through the town.
Mayor Morris thanked the Regiment and exchanged gifts, with Rossendale council receiving the silver lion from the ‘Lions of England’ regiment.
The Freedom of Haslingden was extended to cover the whole of Rossendale when the regiment last paraded in Rawtenstall in 2002.
Kath and David Parkinson, of Loveclough, were delighted to wave an East Lancashire Regiment flag as the parade passed because their grandson Luke, 17, is set to join the Army and plans to join the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment.
Kath said: “He has been doing a military preparation course at Accrington and Rossendale College and he got best student in his class.
“In September he will be going to Harrogate to complete his training. Our granddaughter’s fiancé Jordon, 23, is also in the Paras.”
Normandy veteran Lewis Banham, from Weir, was delighted to have the opportunity of waving to the ‘lads’ as they marched through Haslingden.
Lewis, 93, watched the soldiers and the Band of the King’s Division as they passed the Veterans In Communities (VIC) Centre on Bury Road, Haslingden. Veteran Bill Ogden pushed Lewis in his wheelchair so he could watch the parade line up, salute and be inspected near the War Memorial.
Lewis served in the Royal Signals and was called up in 1942 when he was 19 and had only been married for three weeks.
He left his Bacup home and was posted to the 15th Scottish Infantry Division and then the 44th Infantry where he was a despatch rider. He served for four years and eight months.
He now attends VIC where he enjoys colouring in the art group and reminiscing.