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Freedom of Huntingdonshire, 17 August 2013

Karl Webb , , ,

On Saturday 17th August 2013, representatives from RAF Wyton and the World War II Pathfinder Veterans were conferred the Freedom of Huntingdonshire District. The ceremony took place in the Market Square of Huntingdon Town; on completion, RAF Wyton personnel and the Pathfinder veterans exercised the Freedom of Huntingdonshire District.

Personnel from RAF Wyton and the Pathfinder Veterans at the Huntingdon War Memorial
Personnel from RAF Wyton and the Pathfinder Veterans at the Huntingdon War Memorial

The Parade comprised of two flights of armed personnel, representing RAF Wyton, the Wyton Area Voluntary Band (WAVB), the 57(R) Sqn Standard Party and a Scroll Bearer Party. The Chair of Huntingdonshire Dictrict Council (HDC), Cllr Barbara Boddington, had invited the Lord Lieutenant (represented by the Deputy Lord Lieutenant, Colonel Derek Bristow OBE) and Commander Joint Forces Intelligence Group (JFIG), Brigadier Nick Davies, to inspect the Parade.

Brigadier Davies and Deputy Lord Lieutenant inspect the Guard
Brigadier Davies and Deputy Lord Lieutenant inspect the Guard
Chair of HDC, Cllr Barbara Boddington inspects the band
Chair of HDC, Cllr Barbara Boddington, inspects the band

After the inspection was completed, the Chairman formally conferred the Freedom of Huntingdonshire upon RAF Wyton. The Scroll Bearer, WO1 Chris Clarke, was called forward to receive the honour on behalf of RAF Wyton personnel.

Chair of HDC, Cllr Barbara Boddington, addresses RAF Wyton and Pathfinder personnel
Chair of HDC, Cllr Barbara Boddington, addresses RAF Wyton and Pathfinder personnel

The Escort to the Scroll was comprised of Royal Naval and Royal Air Force personnel.

PO Jon Layton-Matthews, Escort for the Scroll Bearer
PO Jon Layton-Matthews, Escort for the Scroll Bearer

After RAF Wyton received the Scroll, it was the turn of the Pathfinder Veterans. WO James Blackwood was called forward and the Freedom of Huntingdonshire was conferred to the Pathfinder Veterans. The Padres from All Saints and St Mary’s Church gave blessings before the Chairman, Deputy Lord Lieutenant, Commander JFIG and Civic dignitaries departed for Pathfinder House, where a second dias was located. The Freedom of the District was then exercised by RAF Wyton and the Pathfinder Veterans.

The band lead the RAF Wyton and Pathfinder personnel through Huntingdon Town Centre
The band lead the RAF Wyton and Pathfinder personnel through Huntingdon Town Centre

At Pathfinder House, HQ for Huntingdonshire District Council, representatives of local military associations (Royal Naval Association, Royal Air Force Association, and the Royal British Legion) were waiting, with their branch Standards, for the Chairman and VIPs to arrive. Opposite Pathfinder House is the Wartime Home of the Pathfinder Force, quite appropriate for the Pathfinder Veterans to finish the parade in front of this building, and for RAF Wyton personnel as the Joint Forces Command ensign was also flown between these two buildings.

RNA and RAFA Standards with the Joint Forces Command Ensign outside of Pathfinder House
RNA and RAFA Standards with the Joint Forces Command Ensign outside of Pathfinder House
RAFA, RBL, and RNA Standard Bearers at the ready!
RAFA, RBL, and RNA Standard Bearers at the ready!
The Civic party, Deputy Lord Lieutenant, and Commander JFIG arrive outside of Pathfinder House
The Civic party, Deputy Lord Lieutenant, and Commander JFIG arrive outside of Pathfinder House

Once the Chairman and VIPs were in position, the Parade marched through Huntingdon Town Centre and into St Mary’s Street for the ‘Eyes Left’ outside of the council offices.

WO1 Chris Clarke parades the Freedom Scroll past the Civic Party
WO1 Chris Clarke parades the Freedom Scroll past the Civic Party
...followed by personnel from RAF Wyton
…followed by personnel from RAF Wyton
...and then, the Pathfinder Veterans
…and then, the Pathfinder Veterans

Once the Pathfinder veterans had passed, the Parade continued into the HDC Car park where they would be joined by Commander JFIG for medal presentations. The personnel involved in the parade were invited to join the Chairman in the Civic Suite for refreshments after the medal presentations had taken place.

Standards are raised after all personnel have paraded past
Standards are raised after all personnel have paraded past

The VIPs, Civic party, and representatives of local associations had time for a chat before heading into the Civic Suite for refreshments, and to await the remainder of the personnel involved in the parade to join them.

Time for the Deputy Lord Lieutenant to chat with Huntingdon Branch's Chairman, S/M Bill Small
Time for the Deputy Lord Lieutenant to chat with Huntingdon Branch’s Chairman, S/M Bill Small
Not forgetting, St Neots Branch Chairman, S/M Keith Ridley
Not forgetting, St Neots Branch Chairman, S/M Keith Ridley

Gallery

Click on the first image in this gallery to view other photographs taken during the Freedom of Huntingdonshire ceremony.

The Mayor chats with the Pathfinder Veterans The mayor also greets local residents Scroll bearer and escorts take their place And here come the band
And take their position WO Tom Williams has a last check of the troops ...before escorting the Chair of HDC and Commander JFIG to their positions Everyone in place for the welcome by the Chair of HDC
Inspecting the troops Cllr Barbara Boddington meets RAF Wyton personnel The inspection continues a smart turn out - only to be expected of course
Deputy Lord Lieutenant, Col Derek Bristow OBE takes time to chat The band are also inspected WO Chris Clark awaits the presentation The Freedom of Huntingdonshire scroll is presented to RAF Wyton personnel
The ceremony continues The Royal Navy as Escort to the Scroll The Scroll is displayed for all to see WO Jim Blackwood is called forward
...he is representing the Pathfinder Veterans And receives the Scroll with pride The Scroll is brought to the Pathfinder Veterans Time for the Blessing
The Civic party departs for Pathfinder House VIPs and Civic Guests also depart for Pathfinder House Representatives of the RNA, RAFA, and RBL await the ceremonial party The band lead RAF Wyton personnel and Veterans through Huntingdon Town Centre
Standards of the RNA and RAFA with the Joint Forces Command Ensign outside of Castle Hill House RAFA, RBL, and RNA Standards with Pathfinder House in the background Association Standards outside Pathfinder House ...and with the wartime HQ of the Pathfinder Force, Castle Hill House
The VIPs arrive from the Market Square Led by the Chair of HDC and the town Mayor Almost ready for the next part of the ceremony The Mayor takes up his position
Final look round before the parade arrives Everyone in place... ...and the Scroll Bearer arrives for the salute Followed by the band
The band march past And then the personnel from RAF Wyton A proud moment for RAF Wyton ...and of course, the Pathfinder Veterans also parade through Huntingdon
The Standards are raised after the parade has passed Col Bristow has a quick chat with the Association reps and the Town Mayor Col Bristow shares a joke with S/M Keith Ridley Once done, all participants were invited into Pathfinder House for a reception