WITH swords drawn and bayonets fixed, the men and women who carry the crossed keys of York on to the battlefields of Afghanistan marched through their home city.

2 Signal Regiment was exercising its right to carry arms in York under the Freedom Of The City, earned by its efforts in protecting the city from the floods of 2000.

It was the first time in many years that the entire regiment of 250 soldiers could be present at once, as its members are regularly deployed across the world.

The regiment’s commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Andy Knott, spoke of its pride that it is was closely linked to the city and revealed the combat uniform of every one of its members carried the crossed keys of York on one shoulder.

Next year, the regiment will be again deployed to Afghanistan.

“You are part of our everyday community, whether on or off duty,” the Lord Mayor of York, Coun John Galvin, told the regiment. “We are extremely proud of all members of 2 Signal Regiment.”

As well as paying tribute to their role as soldiers, he praised their efforts in raising tens of thousands of pounds for charity and the unique part played in York’s life by the Gurkha members of the regiment.

As the Band of the Royal Corps of Signals played a medley of big band favourites, songs from the shows and Abba hits among others, the Lord Mayor inspected the squadrons.

Then, with the ceremonies concluded, the soldiers set out to march through the city.

The city turned out to watch as they paraded from Duncombe Place via Davygate and Parliament Street past All Saints’ Church, Pavement, and along Coney Street to return to Duncombe Place.

2 Signal Regiment has been based in York since 1986 and received the Freedom Of The City in January 2001, less than three months after the 2000 floods, during which soldiers worked tirelessly, sometimes in heavy rain or standing in flood water, to build sandbag defences and supported the civil authorities in the evacuation of residents.