Duke's festive visit welcomed
Soldiers at a north Shropshire barracks received a royal morale booster when a special visitor dropped by to wish them a merry Christmas - check out our online picture gallery of the event.
Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, paid a seasonal visit to members of the Royal Irish Regiment's first battalion at Clive Barracks in Tern Hill, near Market Drayton, yesterday.
It is the first time the duke, Colonel in Chief of the Royal Irish Regiment, has visited the battalion since it moved into the Tern Hill barracks just four months ago.
Above: Piper Major Alan Kirby was on hand to welcome the duke. nextpage
Even the Regimental Mascot, Brian Boru VIII, wore appropriate attire as he waited patiently outside the barracks for the duke's arrival.nextpage
The prince arrived in full military uniform to the sound of bagpipes and was greeted by commanding officer Colonel Ed Freely (pictured above) and Regimental Sergeant Major Jon Miller before setting off on a tour of the base.nextpage
They stopped at the military restaurant to meet some of the troops and payed a visit to the community centre to discuss issues with the families of battalion members.
The duke was greeted there by Ranger William Galloway, the youngest member of the battalion at just 17.nextpage
Speaking after a conversation with the duke, Ranger Galloway said he had been asked to rate the barracks in comparison with the last base at Fort George, Inverness.
He brought up problems with the accommodation troops were facing, but said overall he was happy with his military lifestyle.
"I've never met a royal before and I didn't know I was going to be asked to greet the duke, but it felt quite normal because he was in uniform too and interested in the same issues as us," he said.nextpage
Corporal Chris Kennedy also enjoyed a conversation in the restaurant with the duke.
"It's nice to see that he's coming down to see us this time of year," he said.nextpage
In the community centre two families told the Shropshire Star they felt reassured by the duke's concern for family life in the army.
Lindsay O'Kelly married her husband, Sergeant Gavin O'Kelly a few years ago when he was posted in Pirbright. The pair now live in married quarters at Tern Hill and have a two-year-old son and an eight-month-old daughter.
Mrs O'Kelly said it was hard to be separated from her husband, but found comfort in the close-knit community of the barracks.nextpage
"It's very reassuring for families to know they are valued and appreciated by someone that senior," said. Col Freely.
He added that the visit had come as the troops prepared to embark on an intensive pre-deployment training course in January.
They will be going to Afghanistan where they will spend six months working with the Afghanistan army in its drive against the Taliban.
By Abigail Bates
