The Queen’s Dragoon Guards given the freedom of Shrewsbury
The Queen’s Dragoon Guards were today granted the freedom of Shrewsbury by Shrewsbury Town Council during a special service at St Chad’s Church.
Following the service, the Regiment – more commonly known as The Welsh Cavalry marched through the town to the Guildhall where Mayor, Councillor Beverley Baker, received the troops.
The Regiment, which was formed in 1959 and is the only remaining Welsh Cavalry regiment, has recently returned from Op HERRICK 20, the final deployment of UK Combat Troops in Afghanistan. It recruits across Shropshire, as well as Wales and the other border counties.
In 2012 the regiment faced the axe under cost cutting measures by the MoD. Former Mayor of Shrewsbury Tony Durnell, who previously served in the regiment, between 1968 and 1971 launched a campaign to save it along with Captain Richard Goldsbrough. Mr Durnell, actively lobbied MPs and saw the campaign grow with support from a wide variety of sources. As part of the campaign to the save the regiment a large tank was driven down Whitehall and past the Ministry of Defence in London.
The Queen's Dragoon Guards escaped the axe on July 5 2012 when Defence Secretary Philip Hammond revealed to the House of Commons his plans to not include the regiment as part of cost cutting measures.
Speaking ahead of of today's event, current Mayor of Shrewsbury, Councillor Beverley Baker said: “It will be a great honour to receive the homecoming troops and to grant freedom of the town to the Welsh Cavalry. This is in recognition of the long association and cordial relations which have existed between the town and the Regiment and the work of the British Forces in helping to defend the interests of the United Kingdom.”
Commanding Officer Lt Col Will Davies MBE added: “We are absolutely delighted to be receiving the freedom of the town of Shrewsbury. The majority of soldiers in the Regiment call Wales and the Border counties home, and it feels very fitting that we should be marking our return from our recent deployment in Shrewsbury. The atmosphere is certainly getting festive which adds an extra special feeling when returning from six months away from home.”
Post by shropshirelive.com.
