|
Some of Liverpool's military heroes have been granted the City's top
honour
THE Duke of Lancaster's Regiment
was admitted to the Freedom Roll of Associations and Institutions of
the City of Liverpool on Sunday, 14 September, 2008. Its soldiers
then exercised the richly deserved freedom by Parading through the
streets of Liverpool from the Anglican Cathedral to St George’s
Hall. These brave personnel rightly deserved the award and the
applause of spectators at the Cathedral as well as during the march
through the City.
The regiment received the accolade because of its support of
military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and due to its local
links. The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment is the only infantry
regiment exclusively recruiting its soldiers from North West
England, especially Liverpool. Hundreds of serving soldiers from the
Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, ex-servicemen and women and their
families attended the Cathedral ceremony and then, exercising their
new right, they marched through the city to St. George's Hall where
they will gave a military salute to Councillor Steve Rotheram, the
Lord Mayor. Approximately 200 soldiers from 1st Battalion The Duke
of Lancaster's Regiment, recently returned from a six-month tour of
Iraq and 65 members of 4 Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment
paraded with the Band of the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment based at
the TA centre in Townsend Avenue, Norris Green, Liverpool. The
Regiment, came into being on 1 July 2008 with the merger of The
King’s Regiment, the King’s Own Royal border Regiment and the
Queen’s Lancashire Regiment.
We were told that Councillor Rotheram said:- "I'm delighted
that we are officially acknowledging all the wonderful work that
this regiment has been involved in. I believe that as a city we
should honour these highly skilled professional people, thank them
and their families for their bravery and help in creating a safer
and more just world and let them know their actions have not gone
unnoticed. I think it is equally important to welcome back all
those injured and reflect on the ultimate sacrifice of those who did
not return - we owe them all a huge debt of gratitude. The
service will be a great event and it will be magnificent to see the
regiment parade through the city."
Colonel Martin Amlôt, the regimental secretary of the Duke of
Lancaster's Regiment, said:- "We are delighted that the City
of Liverpool has seen fit to honour its regiment in such a special
way. The grant of the Freedom to us is most significant at this time
of very high intensity operations involving Liverpool soldiers. Our
Kingsmen draw great strength, both from the regiment's 328 year
heritage and from the support given to us by the people of
Liverpool, so many of whom have close family ties with us. We aim to
be fully worthy of the honour and it will be with great pride that
we march through the city to exercise the freedom, particularly
during the Capital of Culture Year."
Councillor Warren Bradley, Leader of Liverpool City Council, who
nominated the Regiment for the honour seconded by opposition leader
Councillor Joe Anderson, said:- "The regiment's admission to
the Freedom Roll is the highest honour the city can give to an
association or institution. I am immensely proud of the service they
give to the city and our country. The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment
is a worthy recipient of the accolade."
 |
 |
