Thursday, May 7, 2009

Troops in city homecoming parade - BBC


Service personnel from Plymouth-based 42 Commando Royal Marines have taken part in a homecoming parade following their return from Afghanistan.

About 600 commandos, based at Bickleigh Barracks, paraded through Plymouth city centre earlier, led by a military band and cheered on by a large crowd.

42 Commando spent six months in Afghanistan's Helmand Province, during which time three men died in combat.

They were in Afghanistan as part of 3 Commando Brigade.

One woman from Kingsteignton who had come to see her son take part said: "I'm very excited and very proud to see them all back and it's lovely to see local people out supporting them too."
Another mother who had travelled from London commented: "I'm very proud of them, they are amazing and so young.

"You may be dead against the war, as I was, but you have to admire them."

After the 30-minute parade the marines mingled with their families.

Capt Lawrence Clinton, who had been cheered-on by his three children and nephews and nieces said: "It was great. We got an enormous sense of pride and satisfaction from seeing the crowd.

"I just can't believe how many people were there. It was wonderful, thank you Plymouth."

42 Commando Commander, Lt Col Charlie Stickland, told BBC News: "Today has been extraordinary, we had no idea the reception Plymouth was going to give us.

"The smiley boys of 42 Commando were certainly smiling today. It was brilliant."

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