Hundreds turn out for soldiers’ homecoming parade

Hundreds of people turned out in Leeds over the weekend for a homecoming parade for soldiers from the city who have returned from a tour of duty.

The 4th Battalion the Parachute Regiment (4 Para) were in Afghanistan until April this year but the parade – held to mark national Armed Forces Day – was the first chance the Pudsey-based group of troops have had to go in front of the public since.

According to a report by the Yorkshire Post, Lieutenant Colonel Boyd gave an emotional speech in which he paid tribute to the three members of the battalion who did not return.

"For many of you, I know this has been a life-changing experience," he told the soldiers.

"You've all lived life on the edge and you've participated in making history."

The 3rd Division and Signal Regiment (258 Signal Squadron) recently paraded through the streets of Nuneaton, with mayor of Nuneaton and Bedworth, councillor Neil Phillips, describing it as a wonderful opportunity for locals to pay tribute to the soldiers.

Posted by Samantha Thompson