Council and democracy

Honouring Croydon's military volunteers

The borough's servicemen and women who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan will take part in a military parade through central Croydon on Sunday 12 October.

Territorial Army reservists attached to 31 Signals Regiment, Royal Yeomanry, 151 RLC and the Paras, all based in Croydon, will take part.

Alongside the Mayor of Croydon, Councillor Jonathan Driver, dignitaries and guests are expected to include:

• Colonel Ian McRobbie, the Queen's representative in the borough and deputy lieutenant for Croydon
• regimental commanding officers
• overall service chiefs of London's reserve forces
• senior representatives of the armed forces.

Reservists train to carry out the same roles as their full-time counterparts and augment the regulars when operational demands require it, especially in long-running campaigns. As a result, reservists have been called upon to play an increasingly heavy role in both Afghanistan and Iraq.

The parade is expected to be headed by the Royal Yeomanry Band, followed by approximately 100 marching soldiers in a mix of service/combat and desert uniform, and a number of military vehicles.

Councillor Mike Fisher, leader of the council, said: "It's important that the brave work being undertaken on behalf of the country by military personnel overseas is recognised and celebrated in their home country.

"And that's especially true of the men and women who volunteer their time and services to the Territorial Army. It's particularly appropriate, therefore, that we mark the part played by local people in this, the 100th year of the Territorial Army.

"The parade will give the people of Croydon the chance to show their appreciation of the work being done by the reservists, to say a warm 'thank-you' to those who risk their lives on our behalf."

Brigadier David Paterson OBE, Deputy Commander, headquarters London District, said: "I would like to express my profound gratitude for the very public demonstration of support being shown by allowing us to exercise our Freedom of the London Borough of Croydon. 

"The borough has a long history of support to the military, both Regular and Volunteer and, despite the difficult, dangerous and often unpopular operations that we are involved in, your backing, your pride in our dedication, our values and standards, our achievements and our commitment to serve is as strong as ever it was."