They marched with pride (From Daily Echo)
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Princess Royal presents Marchwood troops with service medals
1:50pm Friday 23rd October 2009 in 17 Port & Martime Regiment
THOUSANDS waving Union flags lined the streets of Southampton to show their support and gratitude to the men and women of 17 Port and Maritime Regiment.
Among the 350 Marchwood-based troops were soldiers who have just completed their six-month tour of Afghanistan with all returning safely from the war zone.
They were presented with service medals by Princess Anne the Princess Royal, the regiment’s Colonel in Chief, who chatted to many of the soldiers who marched in their desert kit.
The parade began in Mayflower Park where hundreds of cheering friends, relatives, supporters and schoolchildren lined the park’s length.
Young and old watched as the troops, accompanied by the band of the Royal Logistics Corps, paraded along the waterfront and then waited for Princess Anne’s arrival.
Wearing a green double-breasted jacket and matching skirt, the princess took centre stage as she watched a sail past featuring five different types of vessel used by the regiment worldwide.
Then troops marched up through the High Street and under the Bargate where a cannon was set off showering the troops in blue, red and white confetti.
Click here for more video reports
Full coverage of the march on pages 2, 3, 4 and 5 of today's Daily Echo.
Comments(30)
Was 8 in 76
says...
3:53pm Fri 23 Oct 09
Ken Hutchinson
says...
4:27pm Fri 23 Oct 09
Was 8 in 76 wrote:Well done - IQ is still 8 in 09
tosser
Sir Ad E Noid
says...
4:36pm Fri 23 Oct 09
The reason the British Army has not gone into Rwanda (Belgiums problem) whas that it was overun in a very short time. The UN did go in, but the killing was over by then. The British Army has not gone into Zimbabwe because the African League of Nations begged it not to, saying this African problem would be sorted by African forces. Well time has proved that was a hollow promise. Back to you Coward, our forces are the best in the World and are doing our Country proud, I for one, am extremely gratefully for their work, and sacrifices. You being a coward wouldn't understand sacrifice. Well I think it's time for you to get back under your stone, which is obviously in a very safe place.
Yours Sincerely,
Sir Ad E Noid.
PS: The previous post was spot on as well.
Miles Way
says...
5:15pm Fri 23 Oct 09
Whatever anyone's thoughts on the campaign these lads should be rightly proud to have done their duty and come home & I sincerely hope they stay home now.
Whether or not the mission itself is something to be proud of is another question - too many coalition troops have already died (and more will follow) & for what reason?
Here Ken H is right, the world is not a better/safer place and military action (the only idea the politicians seem able to consider) alone is not going to resolve the problem.
Interesting article on the BBC web about the soldier who went awol and is leading the protest march on Saturday to bring the troops home - is he a coward or brave enough to speak his mind?
Ken Hutchinson
says...
5:23pm Fri 23 Oct 09
I am not stating we haven't got the "best Forces in the world", I'm saying they shouldn't be used as cannon fodder at the whim of an idiotic American leader backed up by his UK counterpart.
You are the definition of a coward - it's not very brave sitting in front of your pc calling people names because their opinion differs from yours is it Rambo?
Southampton Heart
says...
6:49pm Fri 23 Oct 09
Sir Ad E Noid
says...
8:03pm Fri 23 Oct 09
You are still a Coward. The UN forces were unable to stop the killing, because it was all over, finshed, before they got there in any strength, period. The ALN has to be believed, as to ignore them would cause the mother of all problems. They would never, ever allow the imperialists from overseas to return for a second stab at Africa (General).
I don't have to prove anything to a slough like you or any body like you. Like I said I did my bit for my Country, what about you? As for the AWOL soldier, the answer to the question is in the question itself. Going AWOL is one thing, not wanting to go back to Afghan is another. Going AWOL, not wanting to go back and leading a march in London (I think) is completely unacceptable. Welcome back boys and girls, everybody (Well almost all) are pleased to see you back. Slough, back under your stone, now.
Yours Sincerely,
Sir Ad E Noid.
PS : That posting earlier about you was spot on, don't you agree.
Paul from woolston
says...
8:52pm Fri 23 Oct 09
After our contract on a REEME barracks, building single living accommodation for the young squaddies near Fleet, I will be in marchwood helping to build more top class accommodation for our brave lads. It may not be much but I can tell you, we all feel that in these most difficult times for our lads we feel as proud as punch for doing our bit, so at least they have a comfortable bed to lie in on their return from active duty.
Sir Ad E Noid
says...
8:53pm Fri 23 Oct 09
Miles Way
says...
9:26pm Fri 23 Oct 09
The AWOL lad had served in 'Stan' and refused to go back, he's been vilified by his colleagues & is likely to serve time for that decision, yet still stands firmly by his conviction? I don't think it's easy to simply lable him a coward for that.
As I've said, I'm glad they're home, I wish they all were.
Condor Man
says...
10:21pm Fri 23 Oct 09
These brave men should be held up, not knocked down. They didn't make the decisions to invade, they obeyed orders as they agreed to do when they signed up.
Ken Hutchinson
says...
11:45pm Fri 23 Oct 09
Sir Ad E Noid wrote:Is your inability to converse without being abusive the end result of having done "your bit"? The PTSD brought on by being made to soil your pants in Armagh or the latest equivalent eh? Never mind,you can take solace from being tough via mediums such as this while you become more detached from your Wife & Children prior to becoming homeless - or was your "bit" driving a Green Goddess during a Fire Service strike?
Dear Coward,
You are still a Coward. The UN forces were unable to stop the killing, because it was all over, finshed, before they got there in any strength, period. The ALN has to be believed, as to ignore them would cause the mother of all problems. They would never, ever allow the imperialists from overseas to return for a second stab at Africa (General).
I don't have to prove anything to a slough like you or any body like you. Like I said I did my bit for my Country, what about you? As for the AWOL soldier, the answer to the question is in the question itself. Going AWOL is one thing, not wanting to go back to Afghan is another. Going AWOL, not wanting to go back and leading a march in London (I think) is completely unacceptable. Welcome back boys and girls, everybody (Well almost all) are pleased to see you back. Slough, back under your stone, now.
Yours Sincerely,
Sir Ad E Noid.
PS : That posting earlier about you was spot on, don't you agree.
clausentum
says...
1:09am Sat 24 Oct 09
Was 8 in 76 wrote:Succinct.
tosser
Can you produce a sentence, or are you still 8?
clausentum
says...
1:11am Sat 24 Oct 09
Was 8 in 76 wrote:Was a moron in 76 and still is
tosser
now in the north
says...
8:40am Sat 24 Oct 09
There is on the grapevine, reports from British soldiers who are being asked if they are willing to open fire on British citizens during periods of civil unrest.
They are not doing anything FOR the citizen but instead are following the orders of a company who's interest lie elsewhere. They are dying for stealth missions which are sold to us by envoking fear via the media regarding terrorism etc. Their employees are using the same statutes to invade the private lives of this countries citizens to obtain money from civil offences such as putting the wrong stuff in the wrong bin before its all mixed back together and burned.
In my opinion, I'M JUST DOING MY JOB, is one of the most destructive inhumane sentences I have ever heard.
I am glad these people are home from wars with hidden agenda's, Im sad they "just do their job," and will continue to do so if and when revolution against those corrupt immoral leaders begins(even the Nazi's never used that excuse.)
It is the Leaders who order the army to do a job, those leaders continually show they are not working for us
now in the north
says...
8:57am Sat 24 Oct 09
You are very quick to call coward.
I have no doubt that when the army is called upon turn against its own people you will be on which ever side is winning. Glory supporters hold no weight with me.
It takes a hero to stand up for what is right, any dog will follow orders for reward. And, a dog is also daft enough to think the reward will outweigh the cost.
Any soldier who fights in a war with a hidden agenda KNOWING that his employers will screw him over and leave him in the lurch if anything goes wrong, needs his head looking at. Our government wont even provide proper family housing let alone decent financial support for those injured or killed.
Im sure the only "bit" you did was spend a few quid in the ex-army stock shop or you would have a better idea of what is really going on.
There are real men and real family's being destroyed for no real reason, other than being caught up in a situation where they are trained to follow blindly. The cowardice comes from not standing up to stop it!
The cowards are the ones making the orders for our soldiers to bomb water plants and baby milk factories to bring Iraq to its knees so the world bank at the UN can fill its pockets with the money from blood tainted oil and empty Iraq's museums of artifacts worth a fortune.
You are a fool if you think there is any heroism in any of that.
And you are a coward if you do not stand up and defend our country from the virus that grows within it, a corrupt sneaky sinful government
Sir Ad E Noid
says...
10:12am Sat 24 Oct 09
You haven't said what you did for your country, I did my bit in the army, overseas. So loathsome hutch and mates, please, state what you and your whining mates did for your country, and no we don't want to know about you sweeping the streets !!
Yours Sincerely
Sir Ad E Noid.
PS: The last poster on here is in the same bracket as hutch, a lefty coward.
Sir Ad E Noid
says...
10:21am Sat 24 Oct 09
No, I didn't label that lad a coward, but it is totally unacceptable in what he is doing. I said, going AWOL and refusing to go back to Afgah is one thing, going AWOL, refusing to go back and leading a march ( In London ?) is another and the latter couse of action is totally unacceptable. You are right, he will suffer as a result and I hope he reconsiders before the hole gets to big.
Yours Sincerely,
Sir Ad E Noid
Ken Hutchinson
says...
10:42am Sat 24 Oct 09
leightonalexander
says...
5:54pm Sat 24 Oct 09
Ken Hutchinson wrote:Now, some of you are losing the point here. Please, those who are venting their displeasure at the war take this up with the government not the soldiers – you have the power to chose who you vote for as we live in a democracy. I wonder how often you stand up to your bosses at work and say “No I think this is wrong!” – you probably use this website to vent those frustrations. They soldiers are following orders like the millions who have served this country of the last few centuries. Our country, idea and ethics are all built on the foundations of wars we have participated in. There will always be wars. I suppose if we had participated in Rwanda the same would have been said by the likes venting their frustration on this website– this wars illegal, why are we sending our lads to die in Africa, why can’t they sort out their own problems. The job of the army isn’t just to “waste” people. It is to participate in the hearts and minds and to safeguard the “Deceleration of Human Rights” – those certain basic rights everyone should have – “No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.”, “Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.”, “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance”. These words are imprinted on the children’s park in the centre of Southampton.
Your limited knowledge of the time line relating to the genocide in Rwanda is matched by your limited intelligence overall.The killing in Rwanda was not over by the time the UN went in, reading "shake hands with the devil" may give you a clearer picture.Accepting lipservice from the ALN is almost as criminal as the Iraq war itself - Zimbabwe is not oil or mineral rich and therefore the thousands murdered and tortured have no real value to this Govt. or the previous US regime. I am not stating we haven't got the "best Forces in the world", I'm saying they shouldn't be used as cannon fodder at the whim of an idiotic American leader backed up by his UK counterpart. You are the definition of a coward - it's not very brave sitting in front of your pc calling people names because their opinion differs from yours is it Rambo?
How would you feel if we took these rights away from you – forced you to marry, to follow a specific religion, to choose where you lived, be detained without a reason? We know for a fact that the people in Afghanistan and Iraq were not afforded all these rights. Perhaps you could join a political party and become an active member – you have this right. But between then and now why don’t you SUPPORT OUR TROOPS and lobby for change using the power of voting which many troops died to give you.
I know you will twist these words, I know you will find opposite opinions. Once again that’s democracy – you have to power to speak openly. Some don’t
I've seen that and no matter how much twisting and bile you shout. The world isn't a nice place and you can't change things I've seen firsthand.
All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for a few good men to do nothing
leightonalexander
says...
6:06pm Sat 24 Oct 09
Ken Hutchinson wrote:How about the age old saying "Keep you mouth shut and let everyone assume you are stupid, but if you open your mouth you'll just prove them correct". Well done. I commend you. Even if he was in the TA a bullet is still capable of killing him and war zones don’t differentiate between soldiers. Let’s not shoot him he’s just a weekend warrior. Your rant proves that you are just a bitter old man who has nothing better to do but hate others because if he looked in a mirror he would see that he is a pathetic. Go upstairs and look in the mirror my friend. However, I commend you opinions I love democracy and you add the colour to it. If Hitler had his way you would be held in a camp somewhere with a red star sewn on you. Maybe then you would beg for a bunch of weekend warriors to come free you.
Tell us about your "bit" big boy or was it highly classified? I suspect you are a sad little individual who was bullied by his big sister, struggled to make friends in his formative years then managed to pluck up the courage to become a "weekend warrior" in the TA therefore getting to dress up and spread camo paint across your acne ridden face. During this angst ridden period you became qualified to cook and pack the ready meals dished out to the much more capable "real" soldiers and now you spend your time flexing your muscular fingertips via your cyber warfare against the "cowards & lefties" whilst on leave from the local Harvester......
B. L.
says...
6:47pm Sat 24 Oct 09
Sir Ad E Noid
says...
8:34pm Sat 24 Oct 09
An excellent post, no I'm not in the TA, never have been, but they are just as brave as the boys and girls that came home this week, as probably some of them are in the TA. I suspect you are right and hutch is a bitter old man, and can only dig at people who do try to make a difference in far off lands. They need our support and thanks for protecting us and sometimes making sacrifices that others wouldn't even consider doing. Thats why I refer Hutch to a coward, he wouldn't do anything that these brave young ladies and gents have done in the recent past. Read his first post and it is plain to see that he is a refusenik and as a result is unfullfilled, lonely, pathetic and yes, a coward for his posts. I was in Iraq for 6 months from Feb 2003 (Umn Quasar and Basrah).
Q: Hutch, what exactly did you do for your country.
A: Square route of nothing.
Yours Sincerely,
Sir Ad E Noid.
PS: I don't have a sister and I've never had Acne.
Ken Hutchinson
says...
10:16pm Sat 24 Oct 09
However, I'm glad you made it back,as I am glad that all the others have made it back - but I firmly believe none of you should have been there in the first place.
leightonalexander
says...
11:05pm Sat 24 Oct 09
Ken Hutchinson wrote:Please see my pervious post about stupidity. He did achieve something in six months. He saw first hand what the troops are doing. This is hard to achieve from the sanctity of an armchair in Southampton when you are busy complaining that the buses are late or that the council tax has risen. Please think about your comments before opening your mouth. I’m getting bored of you wanting to be controversial. Your making yourself look stupid.
At last......I might remind you that during your 6 months in Iraq in 2003 you achieved absolutely nothing "for your Country". Wake up Dumbo. However, I'm glad you made it back,as I am glad that all the others have made it back - but I firmly believe none of you should have been there in the first place.
Sir Ad E Noid
says...
11:59pm Sat 24 Oct 09
Some posts begger belief. 170 odd young men and women died to ensure free and fair elections in Iraq. The people in Iraq now have a reasonable chance to prosper. I hope they do. Thank you for your last post, you are spot on, and it's good night on this thread.
yours,
Sir Ad E Noid.
PS: Don't you ever wish that you knew just a little bit more about the people that you mail to?
Ken Hutchinson
says...
9:17am Mon 26 Oct 09
leightonalexander
says...
7:17pm Mon 26 Oct 09
You want us to leave and leave now. In one year I think heroin destroys more than the number of lives we have lost in Afghanistan in 10 years. In fact the official statistics say that around 2500 die a year (heroin and crack). So if we pull out and allow the drugs to flow unhindered again do you think that will solve the drugs issue?
I did mention about human rights – did you miss that little part? It’s only a minor point…..
I’m also amazed we didn’t find the WMD’s we did check the receipt before we went in, they must be somewhere.
As for that little known town of Halabja. Ever heard of that place? 5,000 dead 1000’s with long lasting health implications? Imagine if we suddenly decided to do this to Eastleigh?
I said before you can twist my words. You have done. Well done. As I said previously join a political party, voice your opinions and maybe do something about it.
Then I may respect you.
Before you go on about my “intellect” or experience please understand that I have been to South America to interview Argentineans and Chileans on Human Rights cases relating to their military Junta’s in the 1980’s. I have also been to Bosnia to interview victims of ethnic cleansing as well as four visits to Africa. I have only spent 6 weeks in Afghanistan.
Have you ever talked to anyone who has had their family executed before them? There daughters raped? Never seen their father’s again when the men came knocking on the door in the middle of the night? Seen a woman who has had acid thrown in her face?
I end my opinions on this post.
Ken Hutchinson
says...
2:35pm Tue 27 Oct 09
A few air miles obviously doesn't underwrite intelligence or ones ability to grasp the "bigger picture"...
Ken Hutchinson says...
2:19pm Fri 23 Oct 09
For all of you individuals who are kidding yourselves that our forces are there for humanitarian reasons,why on earth didn't we dive into Rwanda or more recently Zimbabwe if that is our ethos?
Just like the word Legend, Hero is bandied about far too often and for all the wrong reasons.