Royal Logistic Corps 30th Anniversary Freedom Parade
On Thursday 1 June, by permission of The Mayor of Winchester, Cllr Angela Clear, the Royal Logistic Corps based in Worthy Down exercised their Freedom of Entry to the City in a Freedom Parade to celebrate their 30th anniversary.
The right of Freedom of Entry is an ancient privilege and allows the Corps to parade through the city to the beat of drums, with swords drawn, bayonets fixed and colours flying. It comes from a period in history when only trusted military units would be allowed to carry arms within city boundaries.
The event was arranged jointly between the Corps and the City Council and will be in the presence of the Colonel in Chief, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal.
The parade formed at Peninsula Barracks and stepped off at 09.30am, comprised of 500 marching troops plus The Band of the Gurkha Rifles and the RLC Corps of Drums.
The parade marched down the High Street and will formed at Broadway at approximately 09.40am. HRH The Princess Royal, the RLC Colonel-in-Chief, took the salute at the Guildhall before attending a service of Thanksgiving at Winchester Cathedral to formally recognise the relocation of the Corps to their new home at Worthy Down.
Mayor of Winchester, Councillor Angela Clear said:
“The Freedom of Entry to the City of Winchester is a rare and special privilege and, as the Mayor of Winchester it is my great honour to have bestowed this gift upon the Royal Logistic Corps, signifying the trust we rightly place in them.”
“To see over 500 members of The Royal Logistic Corps march through the city to the beat of drums, with swords drawn, and bayonets fixed, is a moment of utmost pride for Winchester and a poignant reminder of the dedication and diligent service that the men and women of the Corps give to this country. It has been a truly memorable day.”
Some of the pictures from the day can be viewed over on our Facebook page.