Hundreds of people lined the streets of Oakham this morning, to show their support and welcome home the personnel who are based at St George's Barracks, North Luffenham.

Toddlers being held high by their mums were waving Union Jacks,as were local shopkeepers and war veterans. Traffic came to a standstill and as, there was spontaneous applause and cheers for the troops and.

Even the local beat officer, police community support officer Diana Freeman had a Union Jack sticking out of one pocket to show her support.
She said: "They do a fantastic job it makes you proud to be British. "

Members of the Band of the Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers (REME) led the parade that started shortly before 10am at Northgate. As the band struck up, the soldiers, dressed in desert combat uniform began to march smartly behind them to spontaneous applause from the onlookers.

Some families of the sailors, airmen and women of the 11 (Sphinx) Headquarters 16th Regiment Royal Artillery had travelled from Northumbria and Plymouth to attend the proud event.

The parade made its way up the High Street, where the Lord Lieutenant, Dr Laurence Howard took the salute before marching on to Burley Road.

Among those watching were Rosamund Roughton, wife of the Battalion Commander, Major Nigel Roughton and eight-month-old son, Max who was waving a Union Jack. When Major Roughton left for his tour of duty to Iraq, Max was just eight weeks old. He returned from Iraq on Saturday night.

Rosamund said: "I'm very proud of him. His aim when we went out was to get everyone in the Battalion home and he did. I think the parade is a very good idea and nice for the public."

Year 3 and 4 pupils from English Martyrs School, Oakham, with flags in hand, had also come to town to see the soldiers. Teacher Elizabeth Keogh said they had been studying World War Two and wanted to support the troops.
James Coomber, nine, said: "I'm proud of my country and wanted to see the soldiers march with the band. "

Fred Prestwood, vice-chairman of Oakham Royal British Legion and wearing his medals with pride was delighted with the reaction to the parade. He said: "It was fantastic, it is a brilliant turnout, more than we expected. "

And Major Kevin Radwell, second in command of the regiment, said: "It was a tremendous turnout, we are very happy to see so many people in the streets."

After the parade the personnel returned to St George's Barracks to receive their Operation Telic campaign medals from the Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sir Jonathan Band.

What did you think of the parade? E-mail your views to sm-editor@stamfordmercury.co.uk
If you took any pictures, e-mail them in to the Mercury at smeditor@stamfordmercury.co.uk