Army chief thanks town

AN ARMY chief has today thanked the people of Ipswich for supporting its soldiers at a special honouring ceremony.

Hundreds of people lined the soldiers' route through the town centre and packed into the Cornhill to witness the troops receive the Freedom of Entry to the Borough of Ipswich by Mayor David Hale.

Many of the volunteer soldiers from the TA unit based in Yarmouth Road, whose day jobs range from office workers to train drivers, had just returned from deployment in Iraq when the ceremony took place on December 7.

Scores of soldiers from the unit, known as 202 (Ipswich) Transport Squadron 158 (Royal Anglian) Transport Regiment Royal Logistics Corps (Volunteers), marched through Westgate Street and into the Cornhill led by a marching band. After the presentation, the mayor then hosted a reception for the soldiers and their families afterwards.

In a letter to Mr Hale, Major General David Shouesmith said: “The evident support of the people of Ipswich for its soldiers, which we saw and heard during the parade itself, and as symbolised in the presentation of the Freedom Scroll, means a great deal to the squadron.

“More broadly, it is also warmly welcomed by the rest of us serving in the armed forces, as recognition by the community of the service of its sons and daughters.

“Sunday's events were given heightened relevance by the return to UK of the cohort from operations in Iraq, and who were represented by the 30 or so soldiers on parade, together with their regular counterparts from 2 Logistic Support Regiment from Germany.

“It was especially poignant to be able to share this return with our soldiers' families, and with the people of Ipswich.

“We are proud to join 4 Regiment, The Army Air Corps, and HMS Grafton, in receiving the Freedom Scroll.”

Were you one of the soldiers honoured and want to tell your story? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.