THE CAVALRY rode into Forfar at the weekend—but their chargers were armour-plated and not the four-legged ones of their forebears.

Members of C (Fife and Forfar Yeomanry/Scottish Horse) Squadron the Queen’s Own Yeomanry opened their doors to the public at Strathmore Cavalry Barracks on Saturday for a celebration marking their return to the town.

People of all ages joined troops to mark the opening of a new detachment and continuing links between the town and regiment stretching back to the late 1700s.

Lord Lieutenant of Angus Mrs Georgiana Osborne unveiled a plaque inside the squadron’s Castle Street home and wished it well for the future.

She then presented medals to a trio of troops from the squadron honouring their dedication.

Sergeant Raymond Irwin, from Dundee, was awarded the Iraq Medal for his seven months spent in the Middle East on Operation Telic.

Corporal Ritchie Anderson, of Dundee, and Lance Corporal Davie Blyth, of Ceres, Fife, were presented with the Volunteer Reserve Service Medal, recognising a 10-year commitment to the Territorial Army.

Troops set up a series of displays to show the public what they do and, crucially, highlight to potential recruits just what it can offer.

A Scimitar armoured vehicle greeted people at the gates, while another one inside illustrated the importance of battlefield recovery, being towed by its Samson counterpart.

Machine gun drills were carried out, a command vehicle and operations area formed as part of a demonstration, with a climbing wall testing those with a head for heights.

It paid dividends within hours of getting under way, to the delight of C Squadron recruiting officer Captain Blair Smart.

“We had three guys who are coming up to 17, just hitting the right age for us, drop in off the street and ask if they could join,” he explained.

“We have the name of another lad who is also quite keen. Recruitment is vital for us and that is something we will be pushing.”

Captain Smart said this bodes well for the squadron as it settles into its new home.

“This is where we were born and we’re delighted to be back,” he added. “To have the young lads showing such an interest in joining us is excellent.”