People turned out on the streets of Stamford in their hundreds today to celebrate the return of soldiers from their second Iraq tour.
The 2nd Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment – also known as the Poachers – spent their time in Iraq training and providing advice to local armies.
The Poachers, who lost two soldiers in 2006, have been back home since Christmas after a two year tour in Iraq. The Poachers will be making their next parade in the County in Lincoln this Thursday.
Lieutenant Colonel Simon Browne of The 2nd Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment is keen to to get the message out of the Poachers coming home. Whilst on their tour in Iraq The Poachers brought order and peace to Basra, a city which lies at the very heart of that nation’s future.
It was a huge achievement which went largely unreported in the national media.
The Lincolnshire Echo’s campaign to promote the home coming parades started over a month ago. It aims to match the turnout of the Poachers’ last parade in Norwich, which saw 4,000 people line the streets.
The Regiment itself is making an attempt at drumming up support by giving out 200 black and yellow wristbands to anyone who attends the parade. Families of the soldiers have also been trying to raise support for the parade persuading friends and families to attend.
The homecoming has drawn the attention of the Red Arrows who have agreed to help support the parade. The Red Arrows will take a break from their normal routine this Thursday to fly over the city skies.
The parade will start at 12:15 pm from City Square in Lincoln, passing along Sincil Street, past the Cornhill and up the High Street.
Details of the parade are available in a letter from Lieutenant Colonel Simon Browne.
Your views
LSJ news has been speaking to people in Lincoln about the parade.
