EDITOR'S CHOICE TAUNTON NEWS CAB asks hard-up people to tell their story WELLINGTON NEWS Shoppers await Co-op news MINEHEAD NEWS Holy smoke! SOMERSET NEWS 999 call centre 'to proceed' READER COMPETITION Win one of ten Yearly Day Visit Passes for Butlins Minehead each worth £99 VOTE Do you think the UK should continue with the Eurovision Song Contest? YES NO GET OUR NEWS BY E-MAIL Just register

Most read Comments 1 Young child starts house fire with cigarette lighter 2 999 call centre 'to proceed' 3 Town finances improving, despite £9,000 loss 4 Feud must end, says former Town chairman 5 Holy smoke! 6 Team work at Heathfield 7 Wellington hope to sign ex-Taunton man 8 Somerset get permission for 'club hub' 9 Government backs Taunton plans 10 Boosting rural security Today | 7 Days 1 Tonight's PartyOn parade cancelled 2 Rainbow get together for south Africans 3 What a load of waste... 4 DVD to sharpen biking skills 5 Dead animals dumped 6 League accepts new sides 7 Wind farm death knell fears 8 Cricket coaching courses on offer

Marines on parade

TWO Harrier jets flew over Norton Manor Camp, near Taunton, as Royal Marines from 40 Commando were presented with campaign medals.

Around 2,000 people gathered for yesterday's ceremony, at Norton Fitzwarren, to see the Marines rewarded for their six-month tour of Afghanistan's Helmand Province on Operation Herrick 7.

The Commandos took part in a ceremonial parade in front of hundreds of friends and family, followed by a barbecue for all the families.

Among those receiving medals were Marines Mark Ormrod and Ben McBean, who lost limbs in action.

Marine Ormrod - pictured below - lost both legs and an arm when he stepped on a mine just before Christmas.

In April, he met Princes Harry and William during a royal visit to the rehabilitation centre in Epsom.

Marine Ormrod, who trained alongside Prince Harry, said of the prince: "He's been out there and he's seen and done it."

A similar explosion caused Marine McBean to lose a leg and an arm.

Marines spokesman Lt Paul Newell said: "It was a proud moment for both of them to march across the parade ground - they were both determined to do it."

At the ceremony, Lt Col Stuart Birrell, commanding officer of 40 Commando, praised friends and family of the marines for their support.

9:11am Thursday 15th May 2008

Peter and Laura Redman with three-day-old daughter Keeley

Triple amputee Maerine Mark Ormrod with fiancee Becky Hayes and parents Jackie and Paul Ormrod

Friends and family watch the parade

Print

Email this