Homecoming

21 Signal Regiment extended and invitation for your Chairman, Dr David Vickers, and Standard Bearer, John Horne, along with their good ladies, Janet and Joyce respectively, to attend their being granted the Freedom of Bath ceremony, Homecoming Parade, Thanksgiving Service and Medal Presentation Parade on Wednesday 23rd November.

We travelled down on the 21st and were ensconced in the Officers’ Mess by tea-time where we were made most welcome by the members of the Mess. We were billeted in the officers’ transit block, which some may know to be quite basic. In fact one good lady, who shall remain nameless, but is known as the ‘terrorist’, was heard to comment of a lack of TV in the room.
Tuesday we were visited by Pat Soward, or Publicity Officer, and his good lady Maureen, who, unfortunately, could not attend the events on Wednesday due to a previous commitment. The rest of the day was spent on a recce of Bath to find the Guildhall and Abbey and establish the best route to get there the next day.

Wednesday dawned quite bright, but chilly. Imagine our surprise, after the trouble we went to to recce the route etc, when just as we were finishing breakfast the adjutant came in and told us that our staff car and driver was waiting outside for us. We managed to squeeze John Horne and the Standard into the staff car with us leaving Joyce and Kane Gunter, who had come down with us to do some filming, to follow on in my car. The traffic was horrendous and we just made it in time for the Freedom Ceremony in the Guildhall. Kane and Joyce just made it for the service in the Abbey.
Lt Col Graham Addley accepted the Freedom of the City from the City Charter Trustees and presented them with the flag which had flown over Camp Bastion all the time the Regiment was based there. The CO was a little loath to hand back the Freedom Scroll until it was pointed out to him that it would be presented again in the Abbey.

The Trustees and VIP guests then went in procession from the Guildhall to the service in the Abbey where the scroll and flag were presented again before the assembled Regiment. After the service we moved back to the saluting base at the Guild Hall for the march past by the Regiment. Our Standard was on parade, with the Bath Standard, both outside the Abbey and flanking the saluting base.

In the afternoon the medal presentation parade was held at the BUAS Hangar where something like 600 medals was presented to those who had served in Afghanistan. Our Secretary, Dennis (Johnny) Egan joined us for this ceremony. A little light relief was provided by one of the young corporals who proposed to his girlfriend in front of the assembled parade and families. Fortunately, she said ‘Yes’.

It was a proud day both for the Regiment and for those of us who were privileged to be invited to share it.
Taking part in events such as this strengthens the bond between the Association and Regiment, which, under the present CO and officers, is strengthening all the time. Long may it continue to do so!