Welcome home parade for Royal Irish Regiment
Monday 21st March 2011, 12:12PM GMT.
Shropshire-based soldiers serving in Afghan-istan will be welcomed back to the county at a homecoming parade in Shrewsbury next month.
The parade for the 1st Battalion Royal Irish Regiment, which is based at Tern Hill Barracks, will be held on April 12 – a day after a similar event is held in Market Drayton.
The Shrewsbury event will take place from 10am and will start at Castle Gates with a march through the town centre.
Hundreds of people are expected to line the street at both events which have been organised to show the county’s appreciation for the work being carried out by the Armed Forces.
Councillor Kath Owen, Mayor of Shrewsbury, who will be attending next month’s parade, said: “I think these soldiers are extremely brave and I think it’s wonderful that we can honour these people who go to these countries and never know if they are going back to their families and whether they will see them again.”
Most Commented
- Clampdown on Shrewsbury chuggers
- Bishop's gay marriage views do nothing to support bible teachings
- Planners ordered to stay on Newport visit bus
- Letter: Angered by close encounter of the furred kind
- Letter: Alcohol price plans annoy me
- Shrewsbury’s broadband speed one of slowest in UK
- Letter: No sense in overseas job adverts
Shropshire Star on Twitter
Keep updated with the latest breaking news and content on our Twitter feed.
Lifestyle
Interactive Dining Out map
Hundreds of reviews by the Shropshire Star and Express & Star's teams to help you decide where to eat.
Entertainment
All the film reviews
Before you plan a trip to the pictures, get our critics' verdicts on all the latest movie releases.
OUR NEW APP
Get the new Shropshire Star app
Download the Shropshire Star’s new app to your iPad or iPhone to get one week of access to our digital newspapers absolutely FREE.
shropshirestar.com
Popular sections
Useful links
I have no doubt they have done a good job, but it says something when it’s the Irish regiment marching through Shrewsbury…
What happened to the good old days of the Infantry and the KSLI? My point is, that if it was a regiment that actually meant something to Shrewsbury and had a real connection, then more people would attend the parade.
Report abuse
Its the Royal Irish Regiment and believe it or not they happen to be the Infantry. A real connection to Shrewsbury or not people will come out to welcome them home,thats what happens when your proud of the British Army !!!
Report abuse
I’m an ex-serviceman with the army, I did not say that the RIR were bad I just made the point that Shrewsbury no longer has its own regiment like when we had the KSLI and 5LI.
I am many others were sad to see the local regiments go and be replaced by bigger ones that have no roots. I still stand by my sttement though.
Report abuse
MY SON IS FIGHTING WITH THE ROYAL IRISH REG AND WAS NEARLY BLOWN UP AND KILLED IT DOSE NOT MATER WERE THEY COME FROM THEY ARE WEARING THE QUEENS UNIFORM AND ARE FIGHTING FOR GB SO SHOULD BE WELCOMED HOME WHEN THEY COME HOME TO NOTHERN IRELAND WE WILL GIVE THEM A BLOODY GOOD WELCOME HOME GOD BLESS THE ONES THAT DID NOT WE ARE PROUD OF OUR RIR REG
Report abuse
I agree with Proud RIR Mum!! Doesnt matter whether these soldiers are from bloody cornwall….they have done us all proud! And you should stand up, be proud & show respect to these boys out there who are fighting for US!!! :) I cant wait for the parade…i will be there!! :)
Report abuse
Well I am deffo gong to be there. I am going to be a very proud girl friend that day andthe day he comes back. Also going to go to the one in Belfast as well :). I isreally important that we show are respect. The streets will he lined and Shrewsbury will come to a stand still to celebrate the boys cmming home x
Report abuse
i am the proud fiance clare and lyn his mum of a soldier from RIR currently serving in afghan and we will defo be there and is so proud of everyone of them xxxx well done lads,condolences to those brave soldiers who sadly wont be with them, who’s families are in our thoughts! xxx
Report abuse
I too will be there on 12th April. These soldiers deserve all our respect whatever we feel about the rights and wrongs of the war. Wecome home and my prayers are with the families of those who wont be on parade.
Report abuse
I am so proud of all these men and women that go off to fight the taliban on their own door step. I have spent the last 6 months worrying if my friend will come back OK or not, I will be there to support 1 RI.
Report abuse
Why’s it on a weekday? I would have loved to come and see it, but unfortunatley will be at work. I echo the words of the previous bloggers, doesn’t matter where these lads and lasses are from, they have done themselves proud!
Report abuse
we will be there!
Report abuse