Crowds turn out as soldiers are honoured at freedom ceremony

Led by the Band of the Parachute Regiment, servicemen and women in Marlborough Barracks - home to the units which make up Kineton Station - paraded through Warwick Castle and the town before taking part in a special service at St Mary’s church.

The base is the biggest munitions depot in Europe, and around 600 servicemen are trained in bomb disposal there every year.

Medals were presented to each of the servicemen and women at the castle, which opened for free for the occasion.

General manager Tim Harrison-Jones said: “Warwick Castle, with its thousand years of history, is the fitting location for our community to honour the commitment of our brave servicemen and women.

“The event really is history in the making and will bring local people together at the castle to demonstrate our appreciation and respect for those who face danger to protect us.”

Warwick town council decided to honour the barracks for its support of the town for more than 70 years, including its participation in the town’s annual Remembrance service.

The last time a group was given freedom of the town was in the 1960s when the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers received the honour.

• See next Friday’s Courier for more pictures.