Related content

THOUSANDS of people lined the streets of Dewsbury to see the 3rd Battalion The Rifles receive the freedom of the town on Saturday.

The honour from Kirklees Council comes in the wake of soldiers from the regiment risking their lives in the notoriously dangerous Helmand province of Afghanistan.

The 220-strong regiment paraded from Wakefield Old Road on to Long Causeway for a ceremony in the Memorial Gardens before continuing on to Market Place.

Kirklees Mayor Clr Eric Firth took the salute outside Dewsbury Town Hall.

He said: “It was absolutely marvellous and everything went like clockwork thanks to the organisers and the army.

“There were thousands of people there – the Dewsbury people were all out to support the troops.

“I did a bit of research and I found that the last time there was a parade like this it was back in 1946 and I thought another one was long overdue.

“There were some people there that were at the last parade in 1946 and others whose relatives were in the battalion as well as veterans.

“Lots of people were asking why we can’t do this sort of thing more often because it’s nice to remember and recognise people and the service that they give to the country.”

The mayor, alongside the Lord-Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, Dr Ingrid Roscoe, presented the battalion with a scroll and the troops presented the mayor with a bugle in return.

Later they enjoyed a civic lunch at Dewsbury Town Hall.

The regiment was formed only four years ago when infantry battalions merged, but it has maintained the tradition of recruiting in the Dewsbury area.

They are based at Redford Barracks in Edinburgh and train in all aspects of light infantry warfare as part of 11 Light Brigade.

Commanding officer Lt Col Charlie Maconochie said: “The historic links between 3rd Battalion The Rifles and the town of Dewsbury mean a great deal to us.

“We are both humbled and proud to be able to mark them with a freedom parade through the town centre. We cherish the relationship we have with the community in Dewsbury.

“And it is a special moment when we can connect with the towns and cities that our riflemen come from who support us so fervently and who look after our veterans.”