Suffolk Regiment veterans on parade for Minden Day
Hundreds of people from across the country flocked to the Gibraltar Barracks, in Bury St Edmunds, on Sunday for the annual Minden Day celebrations.
Servicemen, ex-servicemen and their families were among those present for the service and parade at the Newmarket Road site, which this year marked the 250th anniversary of the historic battle.
In 1759, Suffolk Regiment soldiers plucked flowering roses to adorn their uniforms after taking part in a battle against the French, during the Seven Years War, in Germany.
On Sunday, red and yellow roses were fastened to uniforms, helmets and hats throughout the parade site.
Charles Parr, 90, of Wortham, was in the 2nd battalion of the Suffolk Regiment in World War Two. Proudly displaying a number of medals, he said: "This is my regiment and it is important to me to be here."
A service to remember those from the regiments who fell in that battle – and subsequent operations – was held before the parade kicked off at noon.
Pedlar Palmer, 77, of Pakefield, near Lowestoft, wore full regalia for the event. He said: "I've been coming to this for the last 50 years and it will be my first march past. This is the 250th anniversary of the battle and it is 50 years since the Royal Norfolk and Royal Suffolk regiments amalgamated, so it is an important day."
At noon, drummers, Suffolk Regiment veterans and B Suffolk Company, of the Royal Anglian Regiment – which was formed 50 years ago through the amalgamation of the Royal Norfolk and Suffolk regiments – paraded in front of the applauding crowds and St Edmundsbury Mayor Pat Warby.
General Sir John McColl, colonel of the regiment, said: "There is a common bond of friendships forged through service together which is what makes us the regiment we are.
"The large number of people here from all parts of the regimental family show more clearly the strength we have as a regiment – and why we are the best recruited regiment in the Army."
Shaun Walker, who had travelled from Biggleswade for the event, wore a hat adorned with the red and yellow roses.
He said: "My uncle, who was in the Suffolk Regiment, died in Malaya in 1952. I have been coming for the last 17 years and my father and whole family have been coming every year for even longer.
"There are seven of us here this year, but sometimes there are as many of 15 members of the family here."
- The 1st Battalion of the Royal Anglian Regiment celebrated the 250th anniversary of Minden Day at Elizabeth Barracks, in Pirbright, with a parade on Wednesday.
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Weather for Bury St Edmunds
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 22 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: East
