On The March!

Royal Yeomanry Freedom March through Swindon town centre

 

An Army Reserve (TA) squadron marched through the centre of Swindon today [21 October 2012] to mark the 70th anniversary of a landmark battle and the signing of an Armed Forces Community Covenant.

A (Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry) Squadron the Royal Yeomanry took part in a Freedom Parade to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the second battle of El Alamein. All 57 soldiers who marched today are members of this Swindon-based squadron. 

 

 

The squadron was welcomed by the Mayor of Swindon Cllr Mick Bray and joined by the Band of the Royal Yeomanry and Members of the Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry Association.

 

El Alamein 70 Year Anniversary

 

The second battle of El Alamein is viewed as one of the most important victories of the Second World War and was fought in the deserts of North Africa. It is considered to be the primary battle honours of the Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry and the Allied victory led to the retreat of the Afrika Korps and the German surrender in North Africa in May 1943.

 

The parade also exercised the Freedom of the Borough conferred on the Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry by the Borough of Swindon on 4th July 2002 and also commemorated the signing of an Armed Forces Community Covenant.

 

The Armed Forces Community Covenant was set up between the council, NHS Swindon, representatives of the charitable and voluntary sectors, the civilian community of the borough and the Armed Forces community in the borough of Swindon.

 

The covenant aims to encourage all parties within a community to offer support to the local Armed Forces community and make it easier for Service personnel, families and veterans to access the help and support available from the MOD, from statutory providers and from the charitable and voluntary sector.

 

Armed Forces Freedom Parade

Swindon Town Centre

21 October 2012