Fusiliers to get Freedom award

The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers will march through Leamington on November 26, following the 1st battalion’s return from Afghanistan.

The regiment has long ties with Leamington, Warwick and Kenilworth and was the group in which Drummer Lee Rigby, who was murdered on the streets of Woolwich, belonged to.

The public event will see the Freedom of the District be presented to Colonel Peter Merriman on behalf of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.

As well as this, three Illuminated Minutes under the Common Seal of the Council will be presented for display at the Town Hall and by the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers at their barracks, and the Tower of London, as a symbolic gesture showing the value of the relationship.

“We are honoured to grant Freedom of the District to the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, recognising its many years of loyal service to sovereign and country,” said Cllr Richard Davies, chairman of the Warwick District Council.

“This is also a great opportunity for the council to set a precedent and make history by further granting individual or group freedom to people or organisations that have distinguished themselves by acts of bravery or by outstanding public service.”

Awarding the Freedom of the District to the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers also recognises the significant local history between the two, since the regiment was once linked to the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, which has existed since 1782.