Residents, veterans and military families gathered in Woolwich on Thursday 24 September to welcome home the 1st Battalion, Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment, following two years of service overseas.
Soldiers formed at the Royal Artillery Barracks before marching through the streets of Woolwich to the Town Hall. Led by the Battalion’s Colours and accompanied by the Band of 1 PWRR, the parade attracted well-wishers alongside family, veterans and Councillors to wish them well.
The homecoming carried special significance in Woolwich, a town with a long and distinguished military history and a proud connection to the Armed Forces. Residents joined veterans and military families in celebrating the Battalion's return to one of the UK's historic garrison communities.
The Mayor of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, Councillor David Gardner said: “The parade gave us the opportunity to say one simple but important thing to the soldiers of the 1st Battalion, The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment: thank you.
“Their service to our country deserves recognition, and it was wonderful to see so many people come together in Woolwich to welcome them home and acknowledge the commitment and sacrifices made by both the soldiers and their families.
“As a borough with a proud military heritage, we are honoured to celebrate the Battalion’s return to Woolwich and the contribution its soldiers continue to make to our community and our country. The Royal Borough will actively support the regiment and their families as they make their home in Woolwich.”
The event also reflected the borough's ongoing commitment to the Armed Forces community. Greenwich first signed the Armed Forces Covenant in 2012 and renewed that commitment in 2022, pledging continued support for serving personnel, veterans and their families.
It is a voluntary statement of mutual support between a civilian community and its local armed forces community. It includes the moral obligation between the nation, the government and the armed forces, at local level.