A BRAVE soldier who was recruited in Worcester has hailed the chance to march with his regiment through the city during an emotional parade.
Local regiment the Queen’s Royal Hussars are set to march through the city centre next month, exercising the right conferred on them last year when they were awarded the Freedom of the City.
The event, on Saturday, June 27, will also mark the national Armed Forces Day and underline the importance of their close relationship with the city.
Around 200 soldiers will march with swords drawn, bayonets fixed, drums beating and standards flying.
And for Sgt Lee Wilks, 34, the event will prove extra special as he signed up in the Faithful City in 2002.
Sgt Wilks is a Troop Sergeant in the Queen’s Royal Hussars and has served on operations on tanks in Iraq during Operation Telic 3 and 7 in 2003 and 2006.
The 34-year-old also served his country on the Warthog armoured vehicle in Afghanistan in 2012 as the Regiment were one of the last British combat units on the ground in Helmand.
His current role as a Tank Troop Sergeant sees him in charge of the upkeep and management of a fleet of four tanks and responsible for mentoring and developing 16 soldiers.
“I’m very proud to be marching through Worcester next month. It’s a big honour and it’s nice to be recognised,” he told the Observer.
“It’s a chance to show our supporters who we are and for us to meet them and show our gratitude for the support we receive both on operations and at home.
“My kids will be coming to watch me march through Worcester – I’m as excited about that as they are!
“Being in Germany I don’t see them as often as I would like, so this is a real reward for me.
“I met the former Mayor Coun Alan Amos when he came to visit us in Germany in February, and it’s good to build that link between the city and its Regiment.”
The parade will be followed by an afternoon of family activities at Worcester Racecourse, giving people of all ages the chance to see genuine military hardware and meet the soldiers face to face.
Mayor of Worcester, Coun Roger Knight, said: “This Freedom parade will be a tremendous day for Worcester and I would urge all the residents of our proud city to come along and support the very brave men and women of the Queen’s Royal Hussars.”
Lieut Col AJH Porter, Commanding Officer of the Queen’s Royal Hussars, added: “It’s an enormous privilege for the Regiment to be marching in Worcester.
“We place huge value on our links to the city and are delighted to be able to meet the community after the parade.”
The parade is due to start at 11am and the route will be announced nearer the time while the afternoon activities will run from 12.30pm to 4pm.
