CHEERS and applause rang out as soldiers proudly paraded through Huddersfield town centre.
Hundreds of people took advantage of glorious sunshine to watch 72 servicemen from 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment take part in the Huddersfield Freedom Parade.
Shops were decked with bunting, crowds waved their Union Flags and people leaned from first floor windows to catch a sight of the procession, led by the Heavy Cavalry and Cambrai Band.
The parade, which started at Beck Road and went via John William Street, Market Place, Cloth Hall Street, Railway Street and Westgate, was held to show off the new regimental colours received last Friday from The Duke of York, Colonel in Chief of the Regiment.
But it was also an opportunity for the soldiers, some of whom come from Huddersfield, to march in front of friends and family and to enjoy the recognition of supporters.
Cath Walter watched her son, Cpl James Cheesman, of Almondbury, in the parade.
He returned from a six-month tour of duty in Afghanistan in May.
Cath said: “It was very emotional, I was absolutely bursting with pride. I can finally sleep soundly at night.
“It was a long six months and it’s brilliant knowing that I can now call him whenever I want.”
Len Jessop, of Denby Dale, served with the army for 22 years.
The 40-year-old was with his 16-year-old son Bradley to see the parade.
He said: “This will mean a massive amount to them. Some of them will have been down in Warminster, away from their families, for some time and to get back to Yorkshire and see this kind of response will do them no end of good.
“They will have their moments out there, but there’s a job to do and I’m sure they’re absolutely committed.”
Chris Fordham, 67, of Upper Denby, was flag-waving on John William Street as the parade passed.
He said: “We have to show the army in a positive light. Whether we like it or not, we are in this fight and we have to see it through to the end.”
The Mayor of Kirklees, Clr Andrew Palfreeman, whose chosen charity for his year in office is the veterans’ mental health organisation Combat Stress, addressed the soldiers in Market Place.
He told them: “Today I am so grateful to be able to assure you of how proud we are of you all, how much we support you and your families.
“You serve on our behalf unquestionably with dedication, dignity and honour.”
He added: “We owe you all a great debt.
“We are Yorkshire people, you are our regiment and we salute you.
Col Simon Newton, deputy colonel of the Yorkshire Regiment, said public support was “the lifeblood without which we could not function.”
“As serving soldiers we do not seek or need sympathy for our eyes are fully open to the dangers of this noble profession of arms we have joined.
“However, we do need and appreciate the support and recognition given us by our communities.”
Andrea Baxter’s son L Cpl Stephen Baxter, 24, has been serving in Afghanistan with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.
She said: “It’s nice to see these lads welcomed home.
“It makes them feel wanted. A lot of them don’t broadcast the fact they are in the army, so it’s nice to feel they are appreciated.”
Ted and Edith Dearnley, of Almondbury, saw the start of the parade at Beck Road.
Ted, 79, said: “I have never been in the army but I appreciate what they are doing and I think a lot more people should do.
“Even though I think it’s a stupid war, they are out there putting their lives on the line and we should recognise that.”
Edith, also 79, added: “A lot of them are just boys and they need our support.”
Margaret and Reg Platt’s son, Simon, served in the army for seven years, including tours in the Falklands and Northern Ireland.
Margaret, 70, said: “We are so proud of them. Everybody should be out supporting them.”
Reg, 74, added: “We might not agree with what they are having to do, but they are doing it at a great sacrifice.”
LANCE Corporal Daniel Grimes spoke of his pride at being able to march in front of his home town residents.
The 22-year-old, who has been with The Yorkshire Regiment for six years, took part in yesterday’s Freedom Parade.
A Former King James’s School pupil, L Cpl Grimes, of Lepton, said: “I feel very proud. Marching through my home town means a lot.”
L Cpl Grimes, pictured, was in Afghanistan from July to November last year. He told how a patrol he was on was engaged in combat with the Taliban.
“We were out on a normal patrol when we were contacted by the Taliban on the road we normally used,” he said.
“We took cover and returned fire and we came through it.
“The first time I got contacted I thought I would be scared, but the adrenaline kicked in and you deal with it.”
Pte Dwayne Willie, 24, of Bradley, has also been with the army for six years.
The former All Saints Catholic College pupil was in Iraq last year to help with the shut-down of Allied operations.
He thanked the people of Huddersfield for showing their support yesterday.
“It’s good to see that people still think of you and for them to have an hour or so to show their support means a lot,” he said.
“Everybody has a right to have their own opinion about the war, but we are protecting our country.
“It’s good to be home and see everybody.”
