THE red and white hackles of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers marched out in style yesterday to exercise their Freedom of Newcastle.

Over 600 regular and reserve soldiers, veterans and cadets paraded in front of the Civic Centre on Ceremonial Way to mark St George’s Day and to celebrate 50 years since the regiment was formed.

They were inspected by the Colonel of the Regiment, Major General Paul Nanson, the Lord-Lieutenant for Tyne and Wear Mrs Susan Winfield and the Lord Mayor of Newcastle, Councillor Linda Wright.

The Fusiliers were presented with a St George’s medal, a regimental keepsake in their special year.

On parade were the regular soldiers of the First Fusiliers (1 RRF) based in Tidworth and their Reserve counterparts, the Fifth Fusiliers (5 RRF), who are based in Newcastle.

They were accompanied by veterans from the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers Association, Army, Air and Police cadets, with music was provided by the Band of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers and the Air Wing band.

Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Jeremy Dodd said: “We have had a huge welcome from the city.

“It is an honour to have been afforded the privilege of the Freedom of Newcastle and to celebrate our historic links.

“We have seen soldiers from all our recruiting areas.”

The parade was one of the main events in the year-long Fusilier 50 celebrations.

The Regiment was formed as part of the Army reforms to create the first ‘large infantry Regiment’ amalgamating the four English Fusilier Regiments - The Royal Northumberland Fusiliers, The Royal Warwickshire Fusiliers, The Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) and The Lancashire Fusiliers.