Royal Engineers to march through Newbury tomorrow – with free bus travel for serving troops and veterans

Newbury’s 200th celebration Armed Forces Day parade will return to the town centre tomorrow (Saturday).

Serving soldiers and veterans of the Royal Engineers leave the Newbury Royal British Legion in Pelican Lane at 10.30am and march through the streets of Newbury, ending in the Market Place.

Newbury mayor David Harman and Lord-Lieutenant of Berkshire Andrew Try will then inspect the assembled troops and veterans.

The parade will be the town’s main Armed Forces Day event plus a celebration of the 200th anniversaries of 13 and 14 Geographic Squadrons and 16 Geographic Support Squadron.

The three Squadrons are currently sub-units of 42 Engineer Regiment (Geographic), based at Denison Barracks in Hermitage until 2014.

All are welcome to attend. Reading Buses is also offering free travel to service personnel and veterans.

Any service person in full uniform or displaying a medal or veteran’s badge can get free travel on all Reading Buses and Thames Valley Buses services and on Newbury & District services 1a/1c and 730/731.

The company said this is an extension to its annual offer for free travel during Remembrance weekend in November.

The Corps of Royal Engineers was granted the Freedom of Newbury in September 1997.

The Corps has exercised the freedom multiple times since including in 2002, 2009 and 2014.

The Newbury Sea Cadets and SSAFA Armed Forces Charity are also expected to support the parade.