THE Chester homecoming parade for troops back from Afghanistan has been postponed until the autumn.
Last week soldiers from the 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment (Cheshire) took part in marches across the Mercian’s recruitment area in Ellesmere Port, Crewe and Birkenhead.
Originally, the troops had been due to march in Chester on Saturdaybut it clashed with Chester Rocks and the cathedral was not able to host the Thanksgiving service because of preparations for the Mystery Plays.
Now the cathedral service and parade will take place on Sunday, September 8, coinciding with the Regimental Association’s commemoration of the 1st Battalion’s predecessors involvement in the battle of Mons on August 24, 1914.
The homecoming parade will be tinged with sadness given the battalion lost Lance Corporal Jamie Webb, 24, from Wythenshawe, on its last tour of duty in Afghanistan.
Earlier this month the Prince of Wales, the regiment’s colonel-in-chief, presented new colours to the Mercian Regiment in Worcester.
And the old colours, presented to the now defunct Cheshire Regiment in 1989, will be laid up at Chester Cathedral during the September service where the Mercian’s TA soldiers will also be in attendance. Names of the fallen will be added to a memorial at the cathedral.
The 1st Battalion alone will then parade around Chester city centre before arriving at a town hall reception hosted by the Lord Mayor.
