Soldiers from the 203 (Welsh) Field Hospital will parade through Risca this St David’s Day.
More than 100 Army personnel will parade through Risca centre to mark the unit’s homecoming from a tour of duty in Afghanistan as part of Operation Herrick.
Leaving Risca Primary School at 11.50am, the unit is set to parade along Graig View and Dan y Graig Road, turning right onto Tredegar Street and coming to a halt in front of the Tredegar Park entrance gates at approximately 12 noon.
A medal presentation ceremony for the 203 (Welsh) Field Hospital will then take place, before the unit continue to march through the town and come to a final halt at the war memorial.
Thousands of residents and visitors are expected to attend the parade as well as the annual St David’s Day concert held in Tredegar Park.
The unit is Caerphilly County Borough’s designated partner for the national Armed Forces Community Covenant scheme.
Cllr Harry Andrews, leader of the Council said: “The signing of the Armed Forces Community Covenant signified our commitment, and that of our partners, in delivering frontline services for those who need them the most.
“Welcoming our Armed Forces Community Covenant partners, the 203 (Welsh) Field Hospital, to Risca for their homecoming parade and medal presentation ceremony would be a wonderful opportunity for us and our county borough’s residents to show our support and appreciation for the unit and all that they and the wider Armed Forces community do.”
Colonel Tina Donnelly, Commanding Officer for the 203 (Welsh) Field Hospital, said: “Since the signing of the Community Covenant in June, Caerphilly County Borough Council and this unit have enjoyed an excellent relationship, and we cannot commend the council and its partners enough for its work with the Armed Forces community within its boundaries.”
She added: “We were also very grateful for all the kind messages of support and encouragement that we received whilst on our recent operational tour at the Role 3 Hospital in Camp Bastion, Afghanistan.
“We would be delighted to have our Homecoming and Medals Parade in Risca on March 1.”
The Caerphilly County Borough Armed Forces Community Covenant was signed in June 2013, and is a voluntary statement of mutual support between a civilian community and its local Armed Forces’ community.