HUNDREDS of people lined the streets in Richmond today to mark the first ever Freedom Parade for the British Army’s largest garrison.

Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire was awarded the Freedom of Richmond to commemorate the centenary of the ending of the First World War.

More than 200 troops from major units based in the garrison marched from Nuns Close car park to Richmond Castle, passing the civic party at the town hall.

The civic party included the Mayor of Richmond, Cllr Stuart Parsons; Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, Barry Dodd CBE and Colonel Andrew Hadfield, Deputy Commander of 4th Infantry Brigade based in the garrison, who then took up their positions on the saluting dias in the castle.

Lord Lieutenant Dodd said: “I really welcome Catterick Garrison being in North Yorkshire. It is important to us and this is our way of showing you our appreciation to you in that you have been able to march through the town and exercise your freedom.”

"Catterick Garrison is very important to North Yorkshire and it is equally important that there is an interchange of friendship and a really good social atmosphere. We are very happy to be friends with you.

"There is a motto, 'fortune favours the brave', and you epitomise exactly that.

"So I would like to wish you good fortune and good soldiering."

After the parade Lieutenant Colonel Joe Jordan, the Garrison Commander, said: "I am truly honoured that in the year marking the centenary of the end of the First World War the garrison has been awarded the Freedom of Richmond.

"I am privileged to be the commander that has signed the certificate granting that Freedom."