Welsh Guards welcomed home to Bridgend

The 1st Battalion Welsh Guards completed their series of homecoming marches through the towns and cities of Wales with a rousing parade through Bridgend town centre on Tuesday, 16 March, 2010.

Hundreds of well-wishers packed pavements, bridges and even the top of the Rhiw car park to cheer and applaud the Battalion and its band as they marched to Bridgend County Borough Council's Civic Offices, where the Mayor of Bridgend County Borough, Councillor Jefferson Tildesley received the salute in front of the flags. It was followed by a reception for invited guests at Bridgend Recreation Centre where Bridgend Male Voice Choir performed

The Battalion took part in some of the fiercest fighting in Afghanistan's Helmand province last year. The event marked the Battalion's recent contribution in Afghanistan but also its loss of seven men in Afghanistan, including Lance Corporal Dane Elson, 22, and Lance-Sergeant Tobie Fasfous, 29 from the Bridgend area. Over the last eight years the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards have completed tours to Bosnia, Kosovo, Northern Ireland, and Iraq in addition to Afghanistan.

Madeleine praised the hard work of 1st Battalion Welsh Guards: ‘They have done an amazing service to their country. As the great reception they received today has shown Bridgend is proud of our armed forces."