DIGNITARIES and guests packed Ipswich's Corn Exchange to attend a ceremony celebrating 100 years of the Territorial Army (TA) in Suffolk.

DIGNITARIES and guests packed Ipswich's Corn Exchange to attend a ceremony celebrating 100 years of the Territorial Army (TA) in Suffolk.

Ipswich-based TA soldiers were joined by 677 Squadron Army Air Corps, 202 Transport Squadron Royal Logistic Corps and territorials from of The 3rd Battalion the Royal Anglian Regiment to take part in a drum head service and parade to commemorate the landmark anniversary.

In total more than 100 territorials and cadets were on parade at yesterday's event and were joined by the band of the Army Air Corps.

Those watching on included Ipswich mayor David Hale and leader of Ipswich Borough Council Liz Harsant, as well as the Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk, Lord Tollemache, who took the salute.

Captain Gary Tuff, recruiting officer for the 6 army Air Corps, said territorial soldiers play a key role within the modern armed forces.

He said: “Territorial soldiers are now a much more integral part of the defence forces for the country.

“Due to operational requirements more territorial soldiers are being called to serve on the front line.”

Four operational medals were presented prior to the ceremony to Territorial Army Soldiers who have just come back from operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.

A total of 135 guests and VIPs attended on the day.

All units represented on Sunday have taken part in recent operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, and also currently have soldiers on operations serving with the regular army.

Nearly 15,000 territorials have served alongside the regular army in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2003.

Would you like to pay tribute to the work of the Territorial Army? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk