Morpeth And Newcastle Soldier Homecoming Parades

22 November 2013, 06:00 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

Over 180 soldiers of 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers will mark their return from Afghanistan with homecoming parades.

The First Fusiliers battlegroup has now completed its six month deployment to Nahr-e Saraj District in central Helmand on Op HERRICK 18.

Its role, stationed in Main Operating Base PRICE, has been to support the transition of security responsibility from ISAF to Afghan National Security Forces.

The Battalion also deployed a strong company group equipped with the specially modified Warrior Infantry Fighting Vehicle.

They were based separately in Lashkar Gah Durai Patrol Base and conducted a series of manoeuvre operations aimed at disrupting the insurgents in their own back yard.

The soldiers will step off from Castle Square in Morpeth at 10.00 am and march via Castle Bank, Bridge Street, Damside, Stanley Terrace, Well Way, Manchester Street, Newgate Street, Bridge Street and return via Castle Bank.

After a reception in Morpeth, the soldiers will move to Newcastle where they will step off at 1.00 pm for their second homecoming parade in the North East.

They will set off from the Newcastle Civic Centre in St Mary's Place, and march via Barras Bridge, Percy Street, Blackhill Square, Eldon Square, Northumberland Street, John Dobson Street and return to the Civic Centre.