Proud Tigers set to march through the streets of city
Hero soldiers who have returned from Afghanistan are set to march through the streets of Portsmouth.
More than 200 troops from the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment (PWRR) will march through the city for the first time in its history on Monday.
And News readers are being urged to get out and cheer our troops during the homecoming parade.
With bayonets fixed they will parade into Guildhall Square for an inspection at 12.25pm, before marching the length of Commercial Road. When they get to the top they will turn and march back to the Guildhall for a reception.
The council has called on residents of all ages to turn out for the day.
Schools across the city have told their pupils and students about the visit, and some will be encouraging them to go along.
Lord Mayor Cllr Terry Hall has also invited veterans and their families to the civic reception.
Cllr Hugh Mason, deputy leader of Portsmouth City Council, said: 'There is great anticipation for this parade because it is quite simply the first of its kind.
'We're known as a naval city but we were first a garrison town and there are infinite links between Portsmouth and the army.
'I hope we will see hundreds of people making the time to come down.
'I'd like to see young people there in particular, but we will surely see all the generations represented.'
The regiment was formed in 1992 when the Royal Hampshire Regiment was merged with the Queen's Regiment. Since then there have been no homecoming parades.
For the past eight years there have been no marches anywhere in Britain as the battalion has been constantly on duty.
Troops with 1 PWRR were the last to serve in Basra and returned at the end of May.
In all, eight home-coming parades are being held across the regiment's area from tomorrow until next Saturday.
In Portsmouth there will be medal presentations for two local troops.
Private Levi Webb, 18, from Gosport will receive his Operation Telic medal for service in Iraq and Private James Knibbs, 21, from Portsmouth will receive his Operation Herrick medal for Afghanistan.
THREE TOURS IN IRAQ
The first battalion of the PWRR is the most decorated infantry unit in the British Army.
They have completed three tours of Iraq and serving soldier Lance-Corporal Johnson Beharry became the first living recipient of the Victoria Cross in 40 years for his bravery during a convoy attack there in 2004.
The majority of the Germany-based infantrymen have spent the past six months in Iraq training the Iraqi Army in Basra, and the remaining 180 have been in Afghanistan with the Royal Marines' 3 Commando Brigade.
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Weather for Portsmouth
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 22 mph
Wind direction: East
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Temperature: 13 C to 23 C
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