Taunton to welcome home Marines

3:04pm Thursday 17th July 2008

TAUNTON is to remember three Royal Marines killed in Afghanistan's Helmand province earlier this year.

A welcome home parade for their colleagues from 40 Commando, based at Norton Manor Camp, takes place on Thursday, July 31.

Organisers at Taunton Deane Council want the community to support the event, when 400 Marines will march from Station Road to The Parade led by the Band of Her Majesty's Royal Marines.

They will be greeted by Taunton Deane Mayor and Mayoress Tim and Gill Slattery and other VIPs, as well as emergency services representatives.

A drumhead service will follow before Cllr Slattery and Lady Gass will take the salute from the steps of the Old Municipal Buildings.

Mr Slattery said: "I want to ensure Taunton gives the Marines the homecoming they deserve in recognition of the sacrifices they have made in the course of their duty.

"Our soldiers risk their lives for the values we all hold dear and Taunton is proud to welcome them home.

"I'd like a high turn-out of our citizens along the route to demonstrate their appreciation to our brave soldiers."

Attending the ceremony will be former Wootton Basset Mayor Audrey Wannell and her husband, Chris - the Marines want to thank them for the way people in the Wiltshire town lined the streets in silent tribute to their fallen colleagues.

Lieut John Thornton and Marine David Marsh died when their vehicle was in an explosion near Kajaki on March 30.

Cpl Damian Mulvihill was killed in an explosion on patrol north of Sangin on February 20.