2018 set to be a big year for the armed forces

Armed forces medals

Former Lead Member for Armed Forces Councillor Alan McCarthy said 2018 is set to be a big year for the armed forces in his final report at the latest council meeting (13 December).

He said: “We are working with the environmental service and townships to deliver a Boroughwide bedding scheme in 2018 around the Centenary of the end of The Great War.”

In addition to this significant milestone, the 50th anniversary of The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers will be celebrated.

The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers is an infantry Regiment within the British Army and was formed by the amalgamation of four English Fusilier Regiments in on 23 April 1968. Since its formation the Regiment has been involved in service across the world in Northern Ireland, Cyprus, the Balkans, the first and second Gulf Wars and Afghanistan.

The Colonel of the regiment has directed that the regiment celebrates in appropriate style, so the right to march through Rochdale with bayonets fixed will be exercised. A function will follow at Rochdale Town Hall.

Two commemorative signs will also be unveiled in Castleton: one in tribute to all who served on HMS Ark Royal and one sign in tribute to all who worked at Whipp and Bourne, the former factory which supplied switchgear for HMS Ark Royal.

The signs will be unveiled by a former engineer of Ark Royal.