Royal Anglians prepare for homecoming parades

Suffolk is preparing to officially welcome home its troops on Monday afternoon during a homecoming parade through the streets of Ipswich.

The 1st Battalion the Royal Anglian Regiment (The Vikings) are marking their return from Afghanistan with a series of homecoming parades across the region – starting in Ipswich.

It will be an opportunity for their families and friends to show their support for their work, alongside the wider community.

Private Karl Ewer, 20, has just completed his first tour of Afghanistan after two-and-a-half years with the Royal Anglians.

The former Chantry High School pupil said he was looking forward to marching through the town watched by his family and girlfriend Holly.

He said: “It was both exciting and frightening in Afghanistan, but we all looked forward to coming home.

“We were well-trained and well-prepared before we went out there – but we were always looking forward to coming home and this will be great.”

Private Aaron Liddle arrived in Afghanistan towards the end of the tour of duty after only joining the Royal Anglians seven months ago.

The 21-year-old former Deben High School student said: “My family will be coming from Felixstowe to see the parade, it should be a good day.

“In a way I would like to have spent longer in Afghanistan with the rest of the troops, but it is wonderful to be home again and I will be very proud to be taking part in the parade.”

The parade starts at 12.30pm in Westgate Street and the main salute will be taken on the Cornhill by Ipswich mayor Mary Blake and other civic dignitaries.

The event follows this week’s medal parade at the Royal Anglian’s base at Bulford in Wiltshire, where they were presented with campaign medals to mark what should be their final tour to Helmand Province before Britain’s final withdrawal in 2014.

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