Royal Irish Regiment to receive top Market Drayton accolade

A special ceremony to grant soldiers from 1st Battalion, The Royal Irish Regiment, the freedom of Market Drayton will take place next month, it was confirmed today.

Calls have gone out from town council chiefs for residents and businesses to turn out and support the regiment, based at Clive Barracks in Tern Hill, when they march through the town centre on April 21.

The soldiers will parade around the town twice and the official Granting Ceremony will take place outside the library in Cheshire Street.

The celebrations will start in Frogmore Road when the soldiers begin their parade at 11am and travel along Cheshire Street, High Street and Shropshire Street.

Market Drayton Mayor, Councillor Kath Brown, said: "I welcome these plans, it is going to be a big day.

"We think it will bring people into the town too. We have had a lot to do with the Irish Regiment over the last few years so this will be a culmination of that."

All members of the regiment, who returned from Afghanistan last year, were awarded the honour at a council meeting in August.

Julie Jones, deputy clerk at Market Drayton Town Council, said: "The town council hopes this will be an enjoyable occasion and welcomes everyone to attend."

Freedom of the town allows service personnel to march through the area on ceremonial occasions with drums beating, bands playing and banners flying.

The regiment's latest tour of duty saw the tragic deaths of three soldiers – Ranger Aaron McCormick, Lance Corporal Stephen McKee and Ranger David Dalzell.

Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, the Black Watch, received the freedom of Market Drayton in 1992.