Barnstaple crowded to welcome home troops

CROWDS lined the streets of Barnstaple this morning (Friday) to welcome home around 600 personnel from the North Devon-based Commando Logistic Regiment. The homecoming parade was organised by Barnstaple Town Council and RMB Chivenor to mark the troops r TO VIEW MORE PICTURES FROM THIS EVENT - CLICK HERE >>

CROWDS lined the streets of Barnstaple this morning (Friday) to welcome home around 600 personnel from the North Devon-based Commando Logistic Regiment.The homecoming parade was organised by Barnstaple Town Council and RMB Chivenor to mark the troops' return from Afghanistan, and to give local people the chance to pay their respects.The parade formed up in Taw Vale and was led from the Square by a Royal Marines regimental band at 10am.Three-abreast, they crossed into Boutport Street and High Street and down into Mermaids Cross. Troops - in uniform but without weapons - then paraded to North Walk and the Strand, where The Second Sea Lord Vice-Admiral Alan Massey and the Mayor took salute on a dais by the Heritage Centre.The parade then continued back to the Square and Taw Vale for embarkation to Chivenor, where the troops attended a medal ceremony.The Mayor of Barnstaple, Cllr Jeremy Phillips, said: "This was a wonderful event. "It was our opportunity to say welcome back and also to remember those who, sadly, did not return."Children from local schools and service organisations lined the streets of the town to watch the parade along with hundreds of visitors and shoppers. Many of them waved flags sold by the town council in aid of the Help for Heroes charity.

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