Rayleigh and Wickford MP and Armed Forces Minister, Mark Francois joined the Secretary of State for Defence and other Members of Parliament in welcoming members of the 7th Armoured Brigade to Westminster recently, where they were formally thanked for their service in Afghanistan.
The Brigade, commonly known as "The Desert Rats" have just completed a 6 month plus tour in Afghanistan. The Brigade is led by Brigadier James Woodham MC, an Officer who was commissioned into the local Royal Anglian Regiment and who has previously commanded the 1st Battalion of the Royal Anglians, which recruits from Essex. Members of the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Anglians formed part of 7th Armoured Brigade and a number of them were present at the homecoming in Westminster.
After formally marching into Parliament and into Westminster Hall, the troops (a number of whom were invited from each unit in the Brigade) were treated to refreshments on the House of Commons Terrace and then taken for a tour of the Palace of Westminster by Members of Parliament and their staff. The homecoming parade was also followed the next morning by a service in St Margaret’s Church in Westminster, where tribute was paid to those from the Brigade who lost their lives in Afghanistan and Mark also attended this event on behalf of the Government.
Speaking about the homecoming parade, Mark said:
"As Parliament ultimately sent these soldiers to fight on our behalf in Afghanistan, it is fitting that it should be Parliament that welcomes them back to Westminster and thanks them for their valuable service. 7th Armoured Brigade did a very good job in Afghanistan in helping to bring stability to the country, including while their elections were on going, and they can be proud of what they did. It was also good to see members of our local regiment, the Royal Anglians participating in the homecoming in Westminster, which they thoroughly deserved in view of their goods service."