Veterans from across the North of England came together for a Millennium service of re-dedication for the Parachute Regiment and Airborne Forces in York at the weekend.
The service at York Minster yesterday involved more than 1,000 airborne veterans from northern branches of the Parachute Regimental Association.
The service was the last of four this year to re-dedicate the Airborne Forces to God, Queen, Country and all Humanity.
The service also involved a detachment of regular soldiers from the Parachute Regiment who are training at Catterick, the commanding officer and a platoon from the 4th Battalion based in Pudsey, Leeds, and students from the Army Foundation College in Harrogate.
Army cadets from Driffield, air cadets from Pocklington School and sea cadets from the Iron Duke in Hull also attended.
The Reverend Alberic Stacpoole from Ampleforth preached during the service. He served with the Duke of Wellington's Regiment in Korea and then with the 2nd Parachute Battalion in the Canal Zone, Cyprus and the Suez Operation.
The Rev Canon Paul Ferguson, the Precentor of York Minster, welcomed the congregation, who included the Lord Mayor of York, Coun Shan Braund, and the Lord Lieutenant of the East Riding of Yorkshire.
Coun Braund took the salute after the service with the guest of honour, Brigadier James Hill, 89, who commanded the successful 3rd Parachute Brigade in 6 Airborne Division from 1943 to 1946.
He was awarded three distinguished service orders, a Military Cross, a US Silver Star and was made a Chevalier of the French Legion of Honour before leaving the army at the age of 34.
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