HUNDREDS of well-wishers came out in the sunshine on Wednesday to cheer on the troops as returning soldiers from 101 Logistic Brigade paraded through Aldershot.

Soldiers from 4th Regiment Royal Military Police, 27 Regiment Royal Logistic Corps and 10 Queen’s Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment, who are all based in Aldershot, marched through the town at lunchtime.

Taking the salute were chief of defence materiel General Sir Kevin O’Donoghue, Dame Mary Fagan, the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, Cllr Brian Parker, Mayor of Rushmoor, and Aldershot MP and newly-appointed defence minister, Gerald Howarth.

Speaking afterwards, Mr Howarth praised all those who had attended, and Rushmoor Borough Council for organising the event.

“It went extremely well,” he said. “The soldiers undoubtedly appreciate the opportunity to march through their home town, to pay their respects to the fallen, and to receive the thanks and the recognition of their local community.”

He said that it was to the credit of Rushmoor council that Aldershot had held out the hand of friendship to the town’s military garrison.

“It is right that the home of the British Army should push the boat out for the returning soldiers and for those who are putting their lives on the line, and in some cases giving their lives, for all of us in Britain,” he said.

The group of around 500 soldiers attended a memorial service at the Aldershot Garrison Church on Wednesday morning before the parade.

They saluted the senior officers and dignitaries standing on the steps of the Princes Hall before being presented with their campaign medals.

The army then hosted a reception for the servicemen and women and their families to mark the event.

All the soldiers on parade have recently returned from six-month tours of duty in both Afghanistan and Cyprus.

For more on this story, see this week's News & Mail, out on Friday, June 18.

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