Bomb disposal service personnel to parade through Didcot before receiving medals

2:14pm Monday 1st December 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

Didcot's war heroes will parade through the town and get their Afghanistan and Iraq medals from mayor Tony Harbour on Thursday.

There will be a minute’s silence in memory of one of their number, Warrant Officer Class II Gary O’Donnell, who was killed in action while dealing with a bomb in Helmand province in September.

The 56 men and women bomb disposal experts from 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps, will start their parade at 10.30am in the Orchard Centre.

Led by the Band of the Light Cavalry, they will march through the town to the civic hall, where Mr Harbour will present the medals.

He will address the parade, thank the soldiers and welcome them home on behalf of the people of Didcot.

After the troops have received medals from Mr Harbour and commanding officer Lt Col Gareth Bex, prayers will be said by the chaplain, Rev John Durant.

Troops from the regiment played a key role clearing the route during Operation Oqab Tsuka, the overland transport of a huge turbine from Kandahar airport to the Kajaki dam — the biggest route clearance carried out by the British Army since the Second World War.