HUNDREDS of people took advantage of the balmy weather to line the streets of Chepstow town centre today, to welcome troops taking part in their Freedom Parade.

Nearly 200 soldiers from 1st Battalion, The Rifles, marched through the town at midday, before arriving at the war memorial at Beaufort Square for a short ceremony.

1st Battalion The Rifles was granted the Freedom of Chepstow in November 2011 in a memorable ceremony outside the gates of the castle.

The honour bestows upon the battalion the right to march through the town.

Yesterday’s exercising of that right was preceded by the Chepstow Military Wives Choir treating spectators to a performance.

The soldiers then marched into the square, preceded by the Band and Bugles of The Rifles.

The 1st Battalion The Rifles, which is based at the nearby Beachley Barracks, comes under the command of 160th Infantry Brigade and Headquarters Wales.

Its soldiers have endured a busy 16 months, during which time they have been deployed in the Middle East and in Africa.

Commitments have included a spell in Iraq, and the undertaking of overseas training tasks in Kazakhstan and Uganda.

The Duke of Kent, who is the Royal Colonel of 1st Battalion The Rifles, was present at the Chepstow parade.

He was accompanied by the Lord Lieutenant of Gwent, Brigadier Robert Aitken CBE.

The event was a formal opportunity to celebrate the longstanding and close links between the battalion and the town.

It was an occasion too, to remember the bravery and commitment of those who serve and have served in the battalion, which most recently lost a number of soldiers during postings in Afghanistan.

Yesterday was also an occasion for the presentation of a number of awards to serving soldiers, as follows:

  • Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service – Major Colin Oliver
  • Chief of the General Staff’s Commendation – Major Matthew Forde
  • Joint Commanders’ Commendation – Lieutenant Alex Creed
  • General Officer Commanding 1UK Division Commendation – Major Rich Hunt
  • General Officer Commanding 1UK Division Commendation – Colour Serjeant Nathan Peart 
  • 160th Infantry Brigade Commander’s Coin – Staff Sergeant Benjamin Macleod-Needs