Army parachute display team makes history at Telford barracks - with pictures
Descending 3,500 feet trailing regimental flags, it was the first time in its history that a team of army parachutists landed at a Telford barracks.
Venning Barracks, in Donnington, was the landing spot for a team from the Silver Stars parachute display team on Tuesday.
The team descended while trailing regimental flags from army units across the Midlands.
The parachutists landed on the parade square in front of 150 invited guests at the 11th Signal and West Midlands Brigade’s annual reception.
The guests included D-Day veteran, Reg Steventon, aged 98, from Bomere Heath, who was recently awarded France’s highest honour, the Legion d’Honneur, for his efforts in helping to liberate France during the Second World War.
This was the first time that the Silver Stars trailed regimental flags as they descended to music played by the Band of the Royal Logistic Corps.
Colonel Richard Maybery, deputy commander of the 11 Signals and West Midlands Brigade, said it was a wonderful sight.
He said: “This is an important opportunity for the army to forge ever closer links with the local community, employers, local authorities and emergency services across the West Midlands.”
The Silver Stars parachute display team trailed flags on behalf of the Royal Signals Regiment,159 Royal Logistics Corps, 4 Mercian Regiment and 202 Field Hospital.
The Silver Stars are the parachute display team for the Royal Logistic Corps.
Since its formation in 2014, the 11th Signal and West Midlands Brigade has established itself as the face of the army in the West Midlands.
The brigade oversees 6,865 regular and reserve soldiers and 5,400 cadets across the West Midlands.
It was formed by the merger of the former Telford-based 11 Signals Brigade and the former 143 (West Midlands) Brigade based at Copthorne Barracks in Shrewsbury.
The Donnington-based brigade is made up of 130 personnel, including 54 regular soldiers, 27 army reservists, 15 full-time regular service personnel and 34 civil servants.
