THE regimental flag of the Welsh Gunners has been lowered for the last time in the North-East - signalling the disbandment of the unit.
The gunners from 39 Regiment Royal Artillery were joined in the final parade by Her Majesty’s Deputy Lord-Lieutenant of Northumberland, Colonel John Anderson, the Master Gunner St James’ Park, General Sir Timothy Granville-Chapman and mayors and civic leaders from the North-East.
More than 300 officers and soldiers from the regiment, which is known as the Welsh Gunners, were joined by their families and veterans for a parade and flag lowering ceremony at the barracks at Albemarle Barracks, Harlow Hill, Northumberland.
The regiment has strong ties to the local community and councils in the region, and bid an emotional public farewell when it exercised its Freedom of Hexham for the last time in October last year.
The final farewell and flag lowering was held in front of the soldiers, families and invited guests. The regiment was inspected by the Master Gunner St James Park, HM Deputy Lord-Lieutenant for Northumberland, Major General (retired) Guy Watkins, the commander of 1st Artillery Brigade, Brigadier Jez Bennett and the regiment’s Honorary Colonel, Brigadier Nick Clissitt.
The regimental flag was lowered by Cpl Stephen Hudghton, 31, from Portsmouth, marking the point at which the regimental title goes into suspended animation.
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