Military on the march

A GOLDEN display of courage and dedication shone through as an Oldham regiment was decorated with medals on Saturday.

The 75 Engineer Regiment (Volunteers) holds the Honorary Freedom of the Borough and its members took advantage of their right to march through the town centre with drums beating, bands playing and colours flying.

The regiment assembled outside the Queen Elizabeth Hall before parading along St Mary’s Way, Henshaw Street, Albion Street and Lord Street. Back at the hall, some members of the regiment were presented with Jubilee medals by Oldham Mayor, Councillor Olwen Chadderton and Brigadier N O Fitzgerald MBE, the Commander of 42 (NW) Brigade.

A special presentation was made to Peter English, an ex-member of the regiment who received the Imperial Service Award for his dedication to the forces.

The Failsworth-based regiment first came to Oldham in 1967 as part of the Territorial Army Volunteer Reserve. The freedom of the borough was bestowed in 1999 as a mark of respect for the regiment’s links with the borough over 45 years.

Lieutenant Colonel Al Veitch RE, Commanding Officer, 75 Engineer Regiment (Volunteers), said: “The people of Oldham are very close to our hearts and have been fantastic to us.”








Our web site carries selected and edited versions of stories available in full only in our nightly print and eChron editions.