Troops are welcomed home to Oakham
A HOMECOMING parade to mark the return of Rutland soldiers from Iraq attracted huge support today.
The crowds were three-deep along parts of the High Street as a marching band led the 32 (Minden) Battery 16th Royal Artillery Regiment through the centre of Oakham.
They were joined by seven dogs from the 104 Military Working Dog Support Unit, Royal Army Veterinary Corps, whose own parade skills were second to none.
Among the crowds were schoolchildren, families and pensioners who all shared the same admiration and gratitude for the troops from St George's Barracks.
Children from Brooke Priory School in Oakham attended a special assembly yesterday to learn about the troubles in Iraq and Afghanistan before the Year 5 and 6 pupils watched the parade.
Pupils from English Martyrs Primary School and Scallywags nursery were there alongside former Navyman Chalky White.
Among the guests to attend a service at All Saints Church before the parade were Rutland County Council's chief executive Helen Briggs, chairman Edward Baines and leader Roger Begy with Oakham mayor Jan Fillingham, head of Rutland police Johnny Monks and Lord Lieutenant of Rutland Laurence Howard, who took the salute.
After marching from Church Street along Northgate and High Street to Burley Road the soldiers returned to the barracks to receive their Op Telic Campaign medals.
Second in Command, Major Kevin Radwell, said: "Each and every soldier has worked with enthusiasm, dedication and total professionalism. It gives me great pleasure to see the final troops return home to spend some well earned leave with their families."
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Weather for Stamford
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 6 mph
Wind direction: North west
