Our heroes

Hundreds applauded the return to Newark of Nottinghamshire’s Army regiment, as they were honoured with the freedom of the town.

Nine men of the former Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters were killed and 40 were wounded during a six-month tour in Afghanistan.

This was the highest fatality rate of any regiment in the current campaign.

Among the 80 on parade on Tuesday were some of the wounded, determined to march in their home county.

The men of C Company, 2nd Battalion (Worcesters and Foresters) the Mercian Regiment, marched to the beat of a single drum from Riverside Park, along Beastmarket Hill over Trent Bridge, along Northgate and Kirkgate and into Newark Market Place.

The battalion was merged into the Mercian Regiment during its service in Afghanistan.

Around 350 members of the public and civic leaders awaited the parade’s arrival in the Market Place.

The troops were led by the battalion’s commanding officer, Lieutenant-colonel Simon Banton.

The regimental colours were followed by Major Paul Gilby at the head of C Company.

The bugles of the Robin Hood Rifles sounded from the Town Hall balcony to herald their arrival.

The Mayor of Newark, Mr Bryan Richardson, bestowed the freedom of the town on the newly-created regiment, an honour previously held by the Foresters, and handed over a scroll.

The freedom is a traditional honour that means that the regiment can march through the town with colours unfurled and bayonets fixed.

Mr Richardson said it was in recognition of the significant contribution Newark had played in regimental history.

He said: “In the 1640s we were the last place in the country to maintain loyalty to the Crown, and until ordered by the Crown refused to open our gates.”

Colonel Banton said the connection between Newark and the Foresters dated back hundreds of years.

He told the crowd of his pride in his men, who earned two Conspicuous Gallantry Crosses and two Military Crosses.

He said the battalion was outstanding.

“Nine members of the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters were killed in operations last year.

“We remember them and continue to care for those soldiers seriously wounded.”

The command of: “Colour Party shoulder arms” echoed across the Market Place from Regimental Sergeant Major Gavin Kimberlin, himself a recipient of one of the Military Crosses, the first to be awarded to the regiment since one was won in Northern Ireland in the 1970s.