Returning paratroopers march through Esher (From Your Local Guardian)

Returning paratroopers march through Esher

8:20am Monday 13th February 2012 in Elmbridge By Louise Robertson

Troops marking the end of an operation al tour in Afghanistan will march through Esher on February 17.

7 Parachute Regiment Royal Artillery will march down Esher High Street accompanied by their guns, the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, the Royal Artillery Band, the Royal Artillery Pipes and Drums and local cadet troops.

Taking the salute from the 200 participants will be the Master Gunner St James’s Park, General Sir Timothy Granville-Chapman, who will be joined by the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Surrey, Brigadier Graeme Bartlett, and the Mayor of Elmbridge, Councillor John Sheldon.

The starts at Esher police station at 10.30am and continue down the High Street and onwards to Sandown Racecourse, where the feature race of the day is the Royal Artillery Gold Cup.

The men recently returned from Operation Herrick 13, which included a six-month stint in Afghanistan - their third operational tour to the country in the past five years.

Last year the regiment, the army’s only parachute light gun regiment, celebrated 50 years since its formation in 1961.

Commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Gary Wilkinson said: "The past five years have been one of intense commitment to Iraq and Afghanistan for 7 Para RHA.

"Our most recent tour culminated in cementing our partnership with the evermore-professional Afghan Artillery.

"The changes we have seen in Afghanistan have been overwhelmingly positive and I am very proud of the contribution my men have made.

"I would like to thank all of our families and friends for their incredible support, and of course the people of Esher; their support and recognition make a world of difference."

The streets of Esher will be lined with patriotic supporters, be there if you would like to show yours.