TA medics get Freedom of Entry for Kingston (From Your Local Guardian)

TA medics get Freedom of Entry for Kingston

10:20am Friday 30th July 2010 in

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Kingston stopped to acknowledge the brave efforts of one of the borough’s military units as they marched through the streets on Saturday, July 24.

Celebrating the Freedom of Entry honour bestowed upon Territorial Army medics from 256 (City of London) Field Hospital (Volunteers), the soldiers marched from the Guildhall, through Market Place, and along Portsmouth Road to their base.

The field hospital has a 125-year association with the borough and in March 2009 the council gave it Freedom of Entry - the highest honour a local authority can give to a unit, which gives it the right to march through the borough on ceremonial occasions.

Following the Army Medical Services (AMS) band, colours were flying as MP for Kingston and Surbiton, Edward Davey, and Councillor Chrissie Hitchcock, the mayor of Kingston, watched with fellow politicians.

The AMS care for the sick and wounded on operational duties Coun Hitchcock delivered a speech outside the Guildhall before the parade, when operational service medals were presented for the field hospital’s work in Afghanistan’s Camp Bastion hospital, which it managed from October 2009 to February 2010.

She said: “It was quite emotional and I was so nervous. They kept thanking me for doing it and I just kept thinking ‘I only turned up, they are the ones that should be thanked’. they were so gracious.

“Hopefully it will be done again. The most appropriate time would probably be if they were posted back to Afghanistan. They were all so proud. We can all think about what they are doing and what they are going through but none of us really know.”

256 Field Hospital formed in 1995 with the amalgamation of three London medical units, but the Kingston connection began in 1884, after the need for medical support in the Boer War led to the creation of groups of trained volunteers, one of which involved an ambulance class in Kingston.

In addition to C Squadron based in Kingston, 256 Field Hospital has units in Kennington, Kensington and Bow.

To enquire about joining the TA medics, call 020 7091 2661.

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