More than 250 soldiers marched through the streets of York with bayonets fixed, bands playing and colours flying as they exercised their Freedom of the City.
Rain did not dampen the colourful spectacle as soldiers from the 2 Signal Regiment, based at Imphal Barracks in the city, formed up in Duncombe Place this morning. They marched through the city accompanied by the Heavy Cavalry and Cambrai Band and the Pipes and Drums of the Royal Corps of Signals.
The Lord Mayor of York, Councillor Keith Hyman, was invited to inspect the troops by the Commanding Officer of 2 Signal Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Colin Vaudin.
The parade marched along Duncombe Place, Blake Street, Parliament Street, High Ousegate, Spurrier Gate, Coney Street and past the Mansion House where the military and civic dignitaries took the salute.
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.
It is expected that the signallers will deploy on operations later this year.
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