Show your support for Mercian troops during Crewe parade

 

Cheshire East Council is urging residents to show their support of 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Cheshire) as they parade throughout Crewe town centre.

The regiment will take part in a homecoming parade throughout the town following their return from Afghanistan.

The servicemen and women of 1 Mercian are recruited from Crewe, Holmes Chapel, Middlewich, Macclesfield, Sandbach, Congleton and across Cheshire West.

The parade will take place on Friday June 14 at 11.00am. The parade will start at Forge Street car park travelling towards Market Street before saluting the Mayor along Queensway. The regiment will then continue the parade along Market Street before turning on to Earle Street and finishing at The Municipal Buildings.

1 Mercian has just returned from active service on the frontline in war-torn Helmand Province. The regiment - whose motto is ‘Stand firm, strike hard’ - suffered 1 fatality during its six-month tour of duty.

Councillor Michael Jones, Leader of Cheshire East Council said: “On behalf of Cheshire East Council I would like to say that I am extremely proud of the relationship that we have with The Mercian Regiment and look forward to welcoming them to our towns once again.

“The sacrifices that the men and women of the regiment make on a daily basis must be recognised and their bravery applauded.”

Councillor Dorothy Flude, Mayor of Cheshire East said: “We are extremely proud to be welcoming home the Mercian Regiment after their tour of duty in Afghanistan.

“After fighting tirelessly to protect their country I hope that the people of Cheshire East will show their support in attending the parade.”

Major Eddie Pickering MBE, the assistant regimental secretary, said: “We are delighted to have been welcomed back to parade throughout the town, especially after being granted the freedom of the borough in 2010. The Mercian Regiment is very proud of the links that we hold with Cheshire East Council and we are also very grateful for their continued support.”

The Cheshires’ main role in Helmand was to provide support to the Afghan Security Forces during the transition to responsibility for their own national security.