Get out on the streets to welcome home 1PWRR (From This is Hampshire)

Get out on the streets to welcome home 1PWRR

1:44pm Monday 6th July 2009 in

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GET behind the lads and welcome them home!

That’s the message as the Daily Echo today launches the countdown to the return of hundreds of Hampshire soldiers.

Up to 300 men from the 1st Battalion, The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment, will march through the streets of Southampton and Romsey in a day of homecoming freedom parades.

It’s the first opportunity the soldiers – nicknamed The Tigers – have had to parade on home soil following gruelling tours in both Afghanistan and Iraq.

And today we are calling on residents across the county to get out on the streets and show their support for the troops.

From local schools to businesses on the parade routes, people are being urged to line the streets and wave their union flags to mark the occasion.

Events will unfold in Southampton on Tuesday July 14 where the soldiers, who are expected to march in their desert kits, will form.

Police will close roads to enable the spectacle to pass off safely and diversions will be put in place.

Following inspection they will march, accompanied by their regimental Kohima Band, through the city to the Bargate monument before making their way back to the civic centre.

A salute will be taken before the city mayor Cllr Liz Mizon.

A host of VIP guests including civic leaders are expected to attend as The Tigers receive medals and speeches are made.

Following the fanfare, the troops will move on to Romsey where a special service will be held at Romsey Abbey.

Romsey Old Cadets will also be on hand to provide entertainment in the town before the march gets underway at 4pm through the market place.

The afternoon’s events are being supported by Romsey Town Council which is calling on local people to support the homecoming.

The Tigers are currently based in Paderborn, Germany, and have recently been reunited with family and friends after A&C company were deployed to Iraq for six months just before Christmas 2008.

Their counterparts from B company where sent to Afghanistan last August and returned in February.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

ARE you planning to line the streets to support the soldiers homecoming?

Perhaps you’re a school where pupils are creating colourful flags and banners? Or maybe you work for a firm or store on the parade routes?

The Daily Echo wants to hear from anyone who is turning out to cheer on the boys. Call us on 023 8042 4520 or email jenny.makin@dailyecho.co.uk Don’t miss the Daily Echo throughout this week for full details of the exact routes, vantage points and timings.