The Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers (Militia) was first granted the freedom of Monmouth in 1953 and since then a number of parades have been held with the most recent taking place in 2012. With the latest parade having been cancelled due to the sad passing of Queen Elizabeth II, the Freedom March was rescheduled for Saturday 25th March 2023. With a little serendipity the new date coincided with it being the 70th anniversary since the first official parade.
The Regiment, who have their Headquarters in the town of Monmouth, exercised their right to parade through the town centre with drums beating, flags flying and bayonets fixed.
The Regiment was granted permission to parade by the Deputy Mayor, Cllr Tom Kirton at the Old Monnow Bridge and stepped off to the beating sound of the military band. The parade moved along Monnow Street to Agincourt Square where they gave a marching Salute to our Royal Honorary Colonel, His Royal Highness Prince Richard the Duke of Gloucester outside the Shire Hall before finishing outside Great Castle House, the Regimental Headquarters.
Afterwards a quickly assembled photograph took place with the Duke of Gloucester who was also joined by the Lord-Lieutenant of Gwent, Brigadier Robert Aitken, Colonel Ian Thompson, the High Sheriff of Gwent, Malgwyn Davies, the Mayor of Monmouth, Cllr Alice Fletcher and the Secretary of State for Wales, David TC Davies MP.
The Duke of Gloucester then joined members of the Regiment in the Officer Mess where he chatted with family members and kindly presented military awards to a number of Regimental recipients.
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