102 Engineers of the Royal Monmouth Royal Engineers (Militia) from Jersey, Guernsey, Birmingham, Swansea, Cwmbran and Bristol made their way to Monmouth on Saturday March 24 for a parade through the streets of Monmouth.

The regiment has its headquarters in town and was granted the Freedom of the Town in 1953 and have since used the opportunity to parade through the town with “drums beating, flags flying and bayonets fixed”.

They were granted permission to parade by the Deputy Mayor, Cllr Tom Kirton at the Old Monnow Bridge and with the British Army Band Sandhurst leading the way, they marched through town led by Lt-Col Al Robinson RE to Agincourt Square where they gave a General Salute to their Patron, His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester, who had flown in on the King’s helicopter.

They made their way to Great Castle House, the Regimental Headquarters for a reception. Mayor of Monmouth Cllr Alice Fletcher said: “Today’s parade and the presentation of this wonderful gift, reminds us how important it is that the town of Monmouth continues to support the Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers the way that it has in the past.

The town has always been proud of its connections with the military and navy and the gifting of the HMS Monmouth bell housed in engineering infrastructure used by this regiment will ensure that this pride is on display to all.

I would like to thank Col. Robinson and the regiment for their hospitality today and for bringing the town together in celebration and commemoration of the Freedom of Monmouth. I would further like to wish you all the very best for your future endeavours and hope that you will take with you, wherever you may go, a piece of our town and the home of this regiment.”

Lt-Col Al Robinson, who is standing down from the regiment this week told the Beacon that it was “great to have a presence in the town”. The band played to the crowds after the regiment had left for Castle House.