Soldiers march through the city (From Salisbury Journal)

Soldiers march through the city

5:24pm Monday 7th December 2009 in News By Corey Ross

HUNDREDS of people braved the bad weather this afternoon to give local regiment 4th Battalion The Rifles a warm welcome home from their tour in Afghanistan.

Family, friends and supporters of the riflemen lined Market Place and Blue Boar Row, waving Union Jack flags as they cheered and clapped the 450 officers and soldiers who marched through Salisbury’s streets, led by the band and bugles of The Rifles.

4 Rifles, led by Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Rupert Jones, have recently returned to their Bulford barracks after five months in Afghanistan, but A Company was missing from the parade as they are still on duty in Afghanistan until April.

Mayor Bobbie Chettleburgh, said she made the invitation for the regiment to parade through Salisbury on behalf of all the citizens of Salisbury to show how proud the city is of its regiment.

Addressing the soldiers at the event, she said: “It’s our wish to show each one of you how we value the way that you have carried out your tour of duty under the most challenging and difficult of conditions, and it’s our pleasure to welcome you home. Your commitment and dedication is well recognised.

“It’s wonderful to hear the cheering and clapping and I hope you get some comfort from that, to know that we are here and we are thinking of you.”

Brigadier Richard Toomey, the Deputy Colonel Commandant of The Rifles, also spoke at the ceremony in Market Place. He said: “There are no quick fixes in Afghanistan, success is built slowly, but 4th Battalion have made an outstanding contribution.

“We need and value your continuing support, through thick and thin, as we serve our country and strive to succeed. The whole Rifles family are hugely grateful for your support.”