March to honour town's war heroes

TOWN chiefs are set to honour servicemen currently in Iraq and Afghanistan by allowing them to march through the town.

A large number of the 202 (Ipswich) Transport Squadron RLC Territorial Army unit is currently deployed on operations in support of the regular army in Iraq and Afghanistan.

At a meeting of Ipswich Borough Council tomorrow, town leaders are expected to go-ahead with plans to grant the unit the freedom of the borough to coincide with their return from active duty and the welcome home parade in Ipswich on Sunday December 7.

Liz Harsant, leader of Ipswich Borough Council, said: “It is an honour and is rightly being given to a local military unit.

“They are young, brave men and we should support them.

“Not only is it good for them to know they have the freedom of the town but it's good for the general public as a huge amount of people will go and watch and pay their respects.

“We should be very proud.”

The Freedom of Entry to the Borough of Ipswich has in the past been granted to HMS Ganges, The Royal Anglian Regiment (as successor to the Suffolk Regiment); The Royal Army Medical Corps and more recently to HMS Grafton and 4 Regiment Army Air Corps.

Of these, HMS Ganges and The Royal Army Medical Corps have been disbanded, and HMS Grafton has been decommissioned, leaving only two active freedoms applicable.

The effect of granting Freedom of Entry gives the organisation the right to march through the town with bayonets fixed, drums beating and colours flying.

The 202 Squadron TA Unit is mostly made up of local people, who live and work in the Ipswich community, together with their families.

It has played an active part within the local community and has been involved in a number of civic and charitable events in the town, such as Remembrance Sunday and Mayor's At Home.

Is enough done to honour serving soldiers? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk