Elmbridge News
Patriotic day as armed forces march through Esher to Sandown Park
11:47am Monday 20th February 2012
Crowds cheered troops marching through Esher to mark the end of a six-month operational tour in Afghanistan.
The Duchess of Cornwall, dressed in green tweed, also visited the town on February 17 and met the service personnel at Sandown Park racecourse.
People lined the High Street to watch 7 Parachute Regiment Royal Artillery march through with their guns and flags adorned shops in a patriotic show of celebration.
The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, the Royal Artillery Band, the Royal Artillery Pipes and Drums and local cadet troops joined the parade.
Master Gunner St James’s Park, General Sir Timothy Granville-Chapman, took the salute and was joined by the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Surrey, Brigadier Graeme Bartlett, and the mayor of Elmbridge, Councillor John Sheldon.
Commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Gary Wilkinson said: “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.”
Coun Sheldon said: “It was marvellously successful and well attended and we hope the parade will continue.
“The Army are in continuing conflicts and facing dangers and we need these reminders of the debt we owe our soldiers.”
The Duchess of Cornwall spoke with them at the racecourse, where she was treated to a performance by the Military Wives Choir, who bagged Christmas number one with their single.
Inside a marquee, the Duchess was sung to by the Military Wives Choir, whose debut single Wherever You Are was last year’s Christmas top seller.
The feature of the race day at Sandown was the Royal Artillery Gold Cup, a race open to horses owned or leased by veterans of the armed forces.
It was won by Bradley, ridden by amateur jockey Richard Spencer.