Kineton soldiers are given freedom of Warwick

Soldiers in Marlborough Barracks - home to the units which make up Kineton Station, the biggest munitions depot in Europe - will, led by the Band of the Royal Marines, parade through Warwick Castle and the town, before taking part in a special service at St Mary’s church.

Medals will be presented to each of the servicemen and women within the grounds of the castle, which is opening its gates free of charge for the occasion.

General manager Tim Harrison-Jones said: “Warwick Castle, with its thousand years of history, is the fitting location for our community to honour the commitment of our brave servicemen and women.

“The event really is history in the making and will bring local people together at the castle to demonstrate our appreciation and respect for those who face danger to protect us.”

Warwick town council decided to honour the barracks - which trains around 600 servicemen and women in bomb disposal every year - for its support of the town for more than 70 years, including its participation in the town’s annual Remembrance service.

The last time a group was given freedom of the town was in the 1960s when the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers received the honour.

More recently, a Freeman award was given to Dick Dixon for 30 years of working with Warwick Folk Festival.

Although entry into the castle is free for the ceremony, only those who have obtained wristbands will be permitted to enter and only for the ceremony, which begins at 11am.

Commercial and food outlets in the courtyard will be closed between 11am and 1pm and the Dragon Tower and the Castle Dungeon will open to the public at 1.15pm. The rest of the site will be open as normal.