Soldiers get Freedom of Wakefield
BRAVE soldiers from the regiment of tragic Upton soldier Luke Farmer were given a heroes' welcome in Wakefield on Saturday.
Soldiers from The Rifles were presented with the Freedom of the City during an event which jointly marked the homecoming of those who have been serving in Afghanistan.
Rifleman Farmer, 19, of Third Avenue, was one of two soldiers killed when an improvised explosive device was set off while he was on night patrol in Sangin, Helmand Province, on January 15.
More than 360 soldiers, cadets and veterans took part in the Freedom Parade through Wakefield city centre to celebrate the soldiers' safe return in April.
Council leaders spoke of their pride at having a long-standing connection with the regiment while the Mayor of Wakefield, Tony Wallis, spoke of his admiration for the bravery of the soldiers.
He said: "It is an honour to welcome these brave servicemen to the district to award them with their Freedom of the City. I hope they enjoyed the parade in Wakefield and congratulate them on the services they have provided for their country and district."
Coun Peter Box, leader of Wakefield Council, said: "I am very proud of The Rifles and I am pleased to see them inheriting the Freedom of the City. I hope people from all around the district came to give them the homecoming they deserve."
The Rifles inherited the Freedom of the City following their formation through the amalgamation of The Yorkshire Light Infantry – which originally inherited the Freedom in 1972 – with three other Infantry Regiments of the British Army in 2007.
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Weather for Wakefield
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: East
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Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
