Town’s adopted battalion to march through Marlborough on return from Afghanistan

Two mighty Chinook helicopters will thunder over Marlborough High Street as 200 soldiers from the Wiltshire-based 4 Military Intelligence Battalion exercise their right to parade through the town later this year.

For many of the troops, the parade – on Thursday, November 28 – will mark their return from active service in Afghanistan and, perhaps more importantly, the beginning of an official period of festive leave with their families.

Those servicemen and women have formed part of Operation Herrick 18 – the 18^th tour of duty conducted by British troops in Afghanistan since 2002. They will be officially stood down after the ceremonies.

Military top brass and civic dignitaries will present campaign medals to the soldiers, and a celebration for their return will be held in Marlborough’s Town Hall, which will fly the battalion flag.

The soldiers will march to a dais outside Lloyds Bank, where speeches will be given and medals presented. The parade will then move to the right of the Town Hall and along Oxford Street, Barn Street, New Road, and back into High Street.

And the march, which will begin at 11am, is just the start of what is being billed as a Big Day for Marlborough.

That evening, the town’s Christmas lights will be switched on, and a festive market will sell locally-produced wares, while the military bands of the morning will make way for the town’s Community Choir, and Santa will set his his traditional grotto in the Town Hall.

The Bulford-based battalion was granted the Freedom of Entry to the Town in June 2011. The honour allows 4MI to march with short bayonets added to their rifles.

On that occasion, 160 soldiers paraded along Marlborough High Street before crowds of flag-waving children and adults; this time the military drill will be an ever bigger spectacle.

Major Richard Stevens, who has been tasked with organising the event as Parade Director, told Marlborough News Online: “The Battalion would be delighted if as many people as possible could come and join us on the day.”

And mayor Guy Loosmore, who is co-ordinating the town’s reception, said: “With the military parade in the morning, and the Christmas lights in the evening, this will be a day to remember – Marlborough’s Big Day.”

Marlborough High Street will be closed from 7am on the day, to allow security teams to sweep the area prior to the march, and Hyde Lane car park will be closed to the public, to accommodate the military families.

* Soldiers from 4MI will also form part of Marlborough’s traditional Remembrance Sunday parade on November 10.