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Veterans help mark TA centenary | |
(about 13 hours later) | |
Territorial Army soldiers who served in Iraq and Afghanistan are among hundreds who have gathered to mark the centenary of the reserve military force. | |
A service of thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral was followed by a parade to a reception at London's Guildhall. | |
Pte Luke Cole, 22, from Wolverhampton, who was awarded the military cross for his actions in Afghanistan, attended. | |
The regimental mascot of the Royal Welsh, Shenkin the goat, led the parade wearing a special green coat. | |
The Pikemen of the Honourable Artillery Company lined the steps of St Paul's for the arrival of soldiers and guests. | |
Role recognised | |
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. | |
The soldier said the centenary celebrations were a good way of letting people know about the TA. | |
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 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." |
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