Royal Marine unit 45 Commando will exercise its Freedom of Angus by marching through the streets of Arbroath next month.
The commanding officer of the unit, which is based at RM Condor in Arbroath, has informed Angus Council of its intention to conduct a march on March 29 to mark its 45 years based in the town.
The Freedom Parade will involve around 350 personnel together with a marching band.
The Royal Marines plan to march down Arbroath High Street and stop outside the former Sheriff Court building for an inspection before continuing to Victoria Park.
From there the group will be transported back to their base where the Angus Provost will host a civic reception for the marines and invited guests.
Angus councillors approved expenditure of £5,000 for the event
Provost Alex King said: “I am very pleased to see this coming forward – 45 at 45.”
The council agreed to bestow the Freedom of Angus on 45 Commando in 2001 but the unit wasn’t formally granted the honour until 2003 due to its operational and training requirements, including deployments in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Their march through Arbroath in 2003 included a parade of a range of uniforms from desert combat gear to polar ski wear with a convoy of assorted service vehicles.
The unit exercised its right to march through the streets again in 2009. That parade also provide an opportunity for the public to recognise the sacrifice made by 45 Commando Battle Group in Afghanistan, where 12 personnel lost their lives.
Several others sustained very serious injuries, mainly from the damage caused by the enemy’s improvised explosive devices.
Three groups have received the Freedom of Angus – 45 Commando, NHS Montrose and The Black Watch.
Two individuals have been given the area’s highest civic honour. The late George Norrie from Montrose was named a Freeman of Angus in recognition of more than 40 years of service to the burgh and the district through his role as an independent councillor.
Andrew Welsh, the former SNP MP, MSP and Provost of Angus became a freeman of Angus in 2013.
