HRH The Duke of Gloucester, Colonel in Chief of the regiment, will be among those in attendance for the march on Thursday November 22, which is intended to welcome soldiers back from their tour of Helman Province in Afghanistan and recognise the regiment’s links with Norwich and the region.
The Royal Anglians will march with the regiment band, colours flying and bayonets fixed from City Hall, watched by The Duke of Gloucester, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Norfolk, Mr Richard Jewson, Lieutenant General John McColl, and the Lord Mayor of Norwich, Cllr Roy Blower.
Members of the public are being urged to gather outside City Hall for the parade which begins at 2.20pm and will take the following route: Gaol Hill, London Street, Queen Street, Tombland and The Close.
A service of thanksgiving and remembrance will follow at Norwich Cathedral at 3.30pm, for which public seating is very limited, while the Lord Mayor will host a private reception at Blackfriars Hall.
Colonel Tony Taylor, based at the TA Centre in Aylsham Road, said: “We want to make sure we reinforce our links with our region because Norfolk and Suffolk is where we recruit from. It will be great for the soldiers’ morale if people turn out to show their support and it will be a finale for the tour.”
For more information about the event, contact Col Taylor on 01603 400290 or Richard Balls, communications manager for Norwich City Council, on 01603 212991 or via email at richardballs@norwich.gov.uk
Note: The 1st Battalion of the Royal Anglian regiment has set up a memorial fund to honour those killed and injured during the conflict in Afghanistan. It will also help fund a permanent memorial, raise money for the affected families and support those who have been injured in a way that will help them resume their military careers.
Anyone wanting to donate to the 1 R Anglian Afghanistan Memorial Fund can make cheques payable to CB 1 R Anglian and send them to Major R C Barrett, Treasurer, 1 R Anglian Afghanistan Memorial Fund, Elizabeth Barracks, Purbright, Surrey, GU24 ODT.