Watch: Soldiers honour war dead in York parade

Members of the Royal Dragoon Guards, based at Catterick Garrison, conducted a Freedom Parade involving more than 150 service men and women on Friday (Aug 15) which was followed by a service at York Minster.

An RAF Typhoon jet flew overhead during a review of the troops.

On Saturday, some 50 soldiers from the regiment will take part in a parade by the Guards’ Old Comrades Association.

The soldiers will carry the 4th Guards standard for the parade which will form up in Tower Street this morning and process through the streets of York before arriving at Pavement Church, in High Ousegate.

Lieutenant Colonel Tom Bateman, commanding officer of the Royal Dragoon Guards, said: “The officers and soldiers of the Royal Dragoon Guards have a unique link to the initial British actions of the First World War and to the great city of York.

“Our predecessors from all four antecedent regiments saw action but notably lay claim to both Britain’s opening shots of the war and its last cavalry charge.

“We obviously therefore take great inspiration from the courage of those men who fought and died in the First World War.

“As Yorkshire and Ireland’s armoured cavalry, the regiment’s ties to the great city of York are equally important to us so it is apt that we should commemorate our respect by exercising the Freedom of York.

“We are therefore honoured to march the standard through the city’s streets to remember those that went before us. We will mark the supreme sacrifice that was made by both soldiers and civilians over the course of the war whilst so enhancing our enduring relationship and commitment to the city.”