A BRITISH Army infantry regiment will parade through Crewe and will be awarded the freedom of the town ahead of their deployment to Kenya.

More than 60 soldiers from A Company, 2 MERCIAN, will parade through Crewe town centre on Tuesday, February 17, beginning the march on Prince Albert Road at 2.00pm.

Regimental Mascot, Private Derby XXX the 30th ram to hold the title, will lead the troops with the Band of The Royal Logistics Corps. A salute will be taken on Earle Street by local dignitaries.

After the parade, Mayor of Crewe, Cllr Pam Minshall, will award the regiment the freedom of the town.

Private Alex Capper, 26, from Crewe and said: “Parades through our home towns are very enjoyable, especially in your own town when family and friends are able to watch.

“I get a real sense of pride, and they allow the public to see another side to the army.

“We have had a great response in previous parades and we are really looking forward to marching through Crewe on Tuesday.”

The parade is the second of several in The Mercian Regiment’s home countries throughout the week.

Following the regiment’s return from Afghanistan, the battalion has deployed to Lithuania, Cyprus and Uganda during the past 12 months.

These exercises will conclude with Exercise Allied Spirit in early May.

Once deployed to Kenya, Mercian Regiment will operate in the Battle Group context, with support from Mortars, Anti Tanks, Snipers, Reconnaissance, Artillery, Engineers and Aviation, to demonstrate the full range of capabilities of a modern Infantry Battalion in the British Army.

Major Steve Hayes, Company Commander of A Company, said: “The parade in Crewe will provide a rare and much anticipated opportunity for the soldiers of 2 MERCIAN to reinforce the strong links with the communities that they are recruited from.

“The Battalion remains committed to UN Operations in Cyprus, while preparing to deploy on demanding exercises all over the world, most notably in the coming months in Kenya and Uganda. 

“Despite having many dynamic and varied challenges to look forward to in the coming year, the support and affection which is shown to the soldiers by the public makes a real and lasting impression on the soldiers.”