Farewell parade for Shrewsbury Royal Mercian and Lancastrian Yeomanry
A farewell parade by the Royal Mercian and Lancastrian Yeomanry will today see the Regiment march through Shrewsbury for the last time.
A church service will be held at St Chad’s at 12pm and will be followed by the Regiment and the Old Comrades Association marching through Shrewsbury at 1.30pm accompanied by a band and the Guidon flying high.
Town Centre roads will be closed for the duration of the parade and will include St Chads Terrace, Claremont Bank, Smithfield Rd, Castle Gates, Castle St, St Marys St, High St, Shoplatch, Barker St and Welsh Bridge.
The Vice Lord Lieutenant and Mayor will be taking the salute at St Mary’s Street.
Mayor of Shrewsbury, Councillor Jon Tandy said: “I am extremely proud to welcome the Royal Mercian and Lancastrian Yeomanry to perform a farewell and transitioning parade as the Regiment marches through Shrewsbury for the last time. This is an extremely poignant and significant event for our town and one I am sure we will remember for a long time to come.”
The Government’s White Paper and Re-basing plan sees the RMLY being split up and loosing its Regimental Headquarters in Telford. The squadrons will remain largely unchanged in their current locations, with recruiting and training carrying on as normal. RMLY will hand over command of the squadrons who will now come under command of the following Regiments; Royal Yeomanry, Queen’s Own Yeomanry and 6th Battalion The Rifles.
The RMLYs affiliation with Shrewsbury is through B (Shropshire Yeomanry) Squadron, whose history with the county dates back to 1795. Through many guises and amalgamations the Shropshire Yeomanry fought in the Boer War, The Great War and World War 2; in places such as the South African Campaign, Gaza and Cassino. The current Squadron has seen individuals support operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. For over 200 years the Shropshire Yeomanry have had volunteers from across the County serving their Country with distinction. Despite the changes B Sqn will remain in Telford and will continue to enjoy links with Shrewsbury.
The RMLY’s new role will see them as a Light Cavalry Regiment. Often operating well in front of all friendly forces gathering information and intelligence on the enemy and environment.
