Welsh Guards to stage Cardiff homecoming parade

The Welsh Guards will stage the first in a series of homecoming parades today, with troops marching through Cardiff to launch Armed Forces Day 2010.

More than 250 soldiers from the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards will parade through the capital from the Millennium Plaza through to the castle, the BBC reported.

The unit returned from Afghanistan last October after losing seven members, including their commanding officer lieutenant colonel Rupert Throneloe in heavy fighting in Helmand province.

Brian Griffiths, the lord mayor of Cardiff, told the BBC that this is an opportunity for the public to support soldiers who risked life and limb in the name of duty.

"It’s very important that we honour the brave men and women who will be on parade on March 4th. Cardiff also has the privilege of being the national host for Armed Forces Day 2010," he added.

Armed Forces Day will be held on June 26th and Mr Griffiths said at last year’s event that he is proud that Wales, with its strong military history, will be given the chance to salute the brave soldiers in Her Majesty’s armed forces.

Posted by Samantha Thompson