Soldiers' parade - in pictures
Hundreds of former soldiers marched proudly through the streets of Oswestry to mark their links with the town.
Hundreds of former soldiers marched proudly through the streets of Oswestry to mark their links with the town.
Members of the Infantry Boys and Junior Leaders Battalion Association braved the rain for a weekend of nostalgia, remembering their time at the Park Hall Army Camp. The training battalion was based at Oswestry from 1960.
It remained until the mid 1970s and was a base where junior leaders underwent leadership training.
Yesterday about 200 former infantry men from regiments across the British Isles marched from the Guildhall to the town's war memorial gates at the entrance to Cae Glas Park.
Each wore their own unique headwear from their individual regiments.
The parade was overseen by Garrison Sergeant Major Bill Mott of the Welsh Guards and led by The Royal Welsh Guards Band of the Prince of Wales Division.
Just inside the park a memorial to the battalion and members who have lost their lives in conflicts over the past half a century was dedicated.
Pipe Major Joe Kerr of the Gordon Highlanders played during the service and Oswestry Town Mayor Councillor Gareth Jones and Lieutenant Colonel Sir Malcolm Ross of the Scott's Guards laid the first two wreaths at the memorial.
Ken Nichol, secretary of the battalion association, said: "The IJLB was a unique training unit, but, unlike a normal regiment, it had no permanent regimental headquarters. What we share is an unforgettable and life changing experience from our teenage years and that experience occurred in Oswestry.
"We would like the memorial to serve three functions, firstly, to explain what the IJLB was and to commemorate its time at Oswestry, secondly to remember those of our number who fell on active service during the various conflicts of the late 20th century, at Cyprus, Aden, Northern Ireland and the Falklands and lastly, to commemorate the unique relationship the IJLB had with the people of Oswestry."
Following the parade there was a beating of the retreat ceremony at the Park Hall Showground, formerly part of the large army camp.
By Sue Austin
