A County Durham town yesterday held a military parade after a historic regiment was awarded Freedom of the town.
The community of Seaham held the parade yesterday (Saturday, July 23) from 11am when the 4th Regiment Royal Artillery was awarded Freedom of Seaham.
A parade through the town was held which commenced with two guns firing from Terrace Green, signalling the regiment to march along North Terrace.
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Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Brocklesby and Mayor of Seaham, Sue Morrison, then presented the regiment with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal.
After the medal presentation, the Mayor of Seaham then granted the 4th Regiment Royal Artillery the town’s highest civic honour of Freedom of Seaham.
The regiment has history dating back to the mid 1700s, but was formed in 1939 and has a history of fighting in all major campaigns since them.
These included the conflict in the Falklands, as well as the more recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
More recently, the regiment also deployed over 100 members with just 10-days notice to Estonia as part of deterrence forces in Nato’s eastern flank due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
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Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Brocklesby, speaking at the event, said the regiment was “proud” of its links to the North East.
He added: “As a regiment we are proud of our links to the North East, we are the North East gunners, and that is reflected in the character of our soldiers and of our regiment.
“Family-orientated, hard -working and resilient and we pride ourselves on being innovative, agile and getting the job done.”
Grahame Morris MP said thanks must be given to Seaham Town Council and the veterans’ community led by Cllr David McKenna and Joe Walker, an ex-4th Regiment Royal Artillery gunner who served in the Falklands.
Mr Morris said: “I am proud that Seaham is restoring links with the 4th Regiment Royal Artillery.
“The Regiment is known as the North East Gunners, with East Durham being a major recruitment ground.
“I am delighted the Mayor of Seaham will bestow the town’s highest civic honour upon the Regiment.
“We can look forward to welcoming our official Regiment to Seaham for future civic and military occasions.
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“To have the 4th Regiment Royal Artillery accept the freedom of the town is the culmination of years of activity to celebrate and commemorate our Armed Forces.”
Check out pictures from the event below:
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