Rifles exercise their Freedom

Granted the civic honour by the people of Sunderland in 2010, the regiment exercised their right to march through the city centrte on Sunday 5 November.

The parade included members of the 3rd and 8th Battalion The Rifles, many of whom have recently been on operational duties and cadets from Durham Army Cadet Force.

It was led by the Band & Bugles of The Rifles supported by the Band & Bugles of The County Durham Army Cadet Force. A number of veterans from the Durham Light Infantry Association also took part in the parade. 

A successor to famous regiments including the Durham Light Infantry and the Light Infantry, the Rifles are seen as the infantry regiment of Sunderland and actively recruit service personnel from the city and surrounding area.  

The Mayor of Sunderland, Councillor Dorothy Trueman, said: "Our relationship with The Rifles goes back many years. We're incredibly proud of our close bonds with them and it was a great honour to welcome them back to Sunderland.

"The Freedom Parade was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the close ties we have with the Rifles and pay tribute to everything they do to support our national defences."

The Rifles Regiment is the largest infantry regiment in the British Army. After being actively involved in recent operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, it is currently involved in operations in support of the country's national defence.