Soldiers march through Croydon on homecoming tour
The freedom of Croydon has been granted to the brave army regiment that fallen Shirley soldier Danny Simpson fought with.
It is the first time in the borough's 126-year existence, that a regular army regiment has been given the honour.
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HEROES: Soldiers marched through Croydon yesterday
Mayor of Croydon Margaret Mead made the surprise announcement yesterday (Thursday) morning ahead of a huge parade involving the 2nd Battalion The Rifles, who were returning from a six-month tour of duty in Afghanistan.
More than 100 soldiers marched through the streets of Croydon, from the Mitcham Road barracks to Fairfield Halls, where a reception was held for soldiers and their families.
They were cheered through the streets by a crowd of hundreds.
The soldiers were accompanied by the family of 20-year-old Danny, who was killed fighting the Taliban, in Afghanistan, in July.
Danny, of 2nd Battalion The Rifles, was killed by a makeshift bomb as he was helping one of his injured comrades to safety.
For more on this story see this week's Advertiser out today (Friday).
13 Comments
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by LR, Croydon
Sunday, November 01 2009, 5:22PM
“I was in Croydon to watch this Parade and was proud to see them come home. They also deserve the Freedom of Croydon.
Despite everything that has happened to them, they deserved the welcome home and it was good to see so many people turn out, including the British Legion outside the Town Hall.
Well done Croydon and well done to the Boys including those that came home in Wheelchairs.”
by Mark, East Coast of Africa Hunting Pirates
Sunday, November 01 2009, 3:31PM
“Well Done boys, and well done Croydon for giving them a hero's welcome, lets try and make this a regular thing, might drum up more support for our beleagured forces.”
by elaine howard, romford. essex
Saturday, October 31 2009, 1:27PM
“i was so proud of my son RFN Paul Richards who was marching ,but i was even more relived he came back safe,roll on the medal prade on the 5th November,another one, it will go with his Iraq medal WELL DONE TO YOU ALL YOU MAKE US PROUD”
by Mike, Croydon
Saturday, October 31 2009, 3:41AM
“Was there and thought it was an amazing march, all my respect to the British Army, especially the 2nd Battalion The Rifles. Was incredible to see people from different class, age, skin colour and religion pay there respects.
RFN Daniel Simpson 'Danny Simo' was my cousin, and I know he would've been proud of what happened yesterday.
RIP Simo.”
by Anna, Croydon
Saturday, October 31 2009, 1:22AM
“And to think that Tiger Tiger the club in croydon refused our men and women of war a drink, just because they werent in suitable clothes. DISGUSTING.”
by Richard, south norwood
Saturday, October 31 2009, 12:50AM
“Well i was there,thousandsof of other people where there,
Andrew Pelling MP was there!!
Richard Otterway MP Was there.All of us showing our respect and gratitude.
Malcolm Wicks MP wasn't there!!!!
SHAME ON YOU MALCOLM WICKS MP.HOLD YOUR HEAD IN SHAME!!!!!!”
by P, South London
Friday, October 30 2009, 9:49PM
“Shame they had to walk through Croydon. What a dump. I say 99% of kids in Croydon need to go to the army to learn some respect.”
by Finikkity, Addiscombe
Friday, October 30 2009, 5:43PM
“@ BAC selsdon
It was very well advertised I thought, in the other Croydon paper they put it in the paper every week for the past three weeks.
That's why there was so many people there. Perhaps you should have read the papers a bit more.”
by BAC, Selsdon
Friday, October 30 2009, 5:04PM
“It is a shame that more wasn't done to announce this was going to happen. Well, I would have liked to have been there but have not seem any notices. The soldiers are a credit to our country. Most youths these days are not fit to be in the sand bags that protect Britain's finest!”
by carrie marie, Ex Croydon
Friday, October 30 2009, 3:45PM
“Well done to them all , I for one am very very proud of every single one of them , having family there doing such a good job is wonderful but very scary too.
Can't thank you all enough , well done you very brave guys & girls.”