Morpeth welcomes home Fusiliers

MORPETH put the flags out today to welcome troops home from Afghanistan.
Hundreds of people lined the streets to cheer more than 150 soldiers from the 1st Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.
They have just returned from a seven month deployment in Helmand Province.
The parade, organised by Northumberland County Council, marched from Castle Square, through the Back Riggs area, down Newgate Street and Bridge Street, where the salute was taken by the Duchess of Northumberland.
After the parade the Duchess said: "The Fusiliers have a long and proud relationship with the county and it has been a great privilege to be part of this homecoming parade.
"It is important that we recognise the risks that British troops take on our behalf by honoring them and supporting them on their safe return home.
"I'd like to thank everyone who came along and showed the soldiers just how much their service, often under extremely difficult and dangerous conditions, is appreciated.
"It was a great day and that was mainly down to the hundreds of people who lined the route."
County Council civic head, Coun Kath Nisbet, said: "The event gave us the opportunity to show our support, respect and gratitude for all those who have put their lives at risk for our country.
"It was great to see local people turn out in force to give the troops a rousing welcome home and show them that we really appreciate all that they do."
It was an emotional day for soldiers and their families, but also coloured by concern about the future of the regiment, which faces disbandment under Government plans to replace 20,000 regular troops with 30,000 reservists.

[@fayriader]

A very gracious comment by the Duchess of Northumberland.

[@jasonfernee3755]

God bless the Fusiliers. The most distinctive plumes in military history.

[@user-gh6hu6pl6y]

Beautifull part of this world!! ❤ Great video thank you✌️☺️💥💥💥❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️

[@gordonsmith8899]

The red and white plume represents the fire and smoke from their 'fusils' (early rifles)

[@TRUCKAD38]

Home of my late Grandad 💕💕

[@user-gk9vi1xf1c]

❤and respect.

[@carlhicksjr8401]

The US doesn't have the same local attachment between the troops and the garrison town. We group large units together on large reservations and that tends to diminish that 'home town' feeling. OTOH, it does tend to reduce the economic and social disruption for the town when the troops are ordered downrange to earn their pay for real. It's just two ways of doing things and I can't say which one is 'better', per se. But it does do my old veteran heart good to see the whole town show up to welcome their lads back. And it's more authentic than some victory parade or whatever else. Although I'm 10 years late, I hope the town of Morpeth and 1-Fusiliers will accept the respects and regards of an old American cavalryman. Also: THANK YOU to the camera crews who focused their attentions on the troops rather than the band. The band is great, but it's the troops who uphold the unit's lineage and honors. And I say that as an old corporal who was usually in the third rank back and in the middle of the formation 😁

[@grezjoseph6257]

Ex British Army and now and old git🤣. What a lot of people don't realise is the British Army is very Tribal. The Regiments are all very local to there own areas of the UK. Or use to be. The saying was if the Regiments were not fighting the enemy they would fight each other. And in any large Garrison town this does happen in pub fights. Most Regiments were raised by local Lords who paid for them. In time of War they came together to form the British Army and to smash any Enemy. However we are more civilized now. But most People in the World do not understand the British. We are 4 Nations England Ireland Scotland and Wales. And the British are Very Tribal, They fight each other. The English fight each other in the North Vs South Each County has a dislike for its neighbour. Lancashire/ Yorkshire Each County Town can dislike its Neighbour as well. Like i said Very Tribal. Same with language. The Brits don't talk or sound like you may hear on the TV. You can go as little as mile or two down the road in the UK And people talk with a different accent and use different terms. I will give you an example. A bread roll, Is a Bread roll or is it a muffin or is it a barm, or a bap. Same thing different name. However if you attack the Brits they come together and will give you a very good beating, and we are such nice people we will pick you up, even if you are now half dead, and say are you alright mate, and dust you down. Then say cheerio.😋

[@carlhicksjr8401]

@@grezjoseph6257 Thanks for the reply. I know the general nature of the UK, but being aware of it isn't the same a living it. The UK is, like every other nation on Earth, more than a location, it's a state of mind. I'm a lifelong military historian, so I was aware of the proprietary nature of the beginnings of many British regiments... that Gordons were originally raised by Duke of Gordon and his wife recruited throughout shire offering 'a kiss and a guinea'. But again, knowing the historical factoid isn't the same thing as sweating, bleeding, and possibly dying with that badge on your chest. As for localized biases and hatreds, I understand that one VERY well. I live 50 miles from the largest city in my state and we learn 'EFF THEM!' in pre-school 🤣

[@robertdouglas8442]

Regs or reserve can't work it out either way that was fantastic total Respects

[@elwolf8536]

Guys in camo look like hard cases glad there on our side.

[@25045269]

Well done the great north east and drums platoon

[@MerrisWilliams]

🎉🎉🎉🎉😊😊 well done 👍

[@davidsaxon8660]

Welcome home

[@columbmurray]

No naughty weapons I see again. Like 'Uarmed Forces Day ' these marches will soon be banned by the pressure group and weak councils !