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TA marking centenary at service Veterans help mark TA centenary
(about 13 hours later)
Current and past Territorial Army (TA) soldiers are expected at St Paul's Cathedral in London later to mark the centenary of the reserve force. Territorial Army soldiers who served in Iraq and Afghanistan are among hundreds who have gathered to mark the centenary of the reserve military force.
British Army Chief of the General Staff Sir Richard Dannatt will lead a tribute and take the salute at the event. A service of thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral was followed by a parade to a reception at London's Guildhall.
Following the service, 900 Territorials and TA veterans from across the UK will parade through the capital in uniform. Pte Luke Cole, 22, from Wolverhampton, who was awarded the military cross for his actions in Afghanistan, attended.
Among them will be some of the 15,000 TA soldiers recently returned from serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. The regimental mascot of the Royal Welsh, Shenkin the goat, led the parade wearing a special green coat.
Regimental goat The Pikemen of the Honourable Artillery Company lined the steps of St Paul's for the arrival of soldiers and guests.
About 2,000 people are expected at the service. Role recognised
A TA spokeswoman said: "The TA is an integral part of the British Army, representing a quarter of its total manpower. Pte Cole had already been shot in the leg in Afghanistan when he left his cover to help an injured comrade, before being shot again in the hip.
"Its members, both male and female, train as soldiers in their own time - many holding down full-time civilian jobs." The soldier said the centenary celebrations were a good way of letting people know about the TA.
The parade will be led by the Territorial Band of the Royal Welsh with their mascot - Shenkin, the regimental goat. Commanding officers tell me how vital their Territorials have been to the delivery of each mission Gen Sir Richard DannattChief of the General Staff
The parade's final destination will be a reception at London's Guildhall. "The TA is being recognised for what they do. People don't realise that the TA actually go on tours and see action," he said.
Female TA soldier Cpl Cat Creed, 43, from Chesham, Bucks, a driver with 151 (London) Transport Regiment, spent six weeks in Iraq at the start of the conflict in 2003.
She said: "The TA has always been seen as Dad's Army. It's good that they are getting a bit more recognition for what they are doing, especially because we do go out on tour."
'Huge dedication'
The TA constitutes a quarter of the British army's manpower, and almost 15,000 have served in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2003.
Gen Sir Richard Dannatt, Chief of the General Staff, told the reservists: "I would like to express my sincere gratitude, on behalf of the Army, to all Territorials for the time, dedication, skills and courage that they continue to give.
"In every operational theatre I visit, commanding officers tell me how vital their Territorials have been to the delivery of each mission.
"Finding the time to make the commitment needed to achieve the highest professional expectations of military life, at home and on operations, requires huge dedication."