British Forces Germany Given Top Military Honour

The Headquarters of British Forces Germany has received one of the country's top military honours.

It is the equivalent of a local authority and supports service personnel and their families - tracing its roots to the British force that entered Germany in 1945.

It is now managing the departure of the Army’s last remaining field units still based there.

A big reduction in Britain's troop presence in Germany means that the headquarters will close in September.

Peter Godwin, Civil Secretary of British Forces Germany, said: "For the last few weeks we've been marching up and down a car park in Bielefeld being shouted at by our excellent Regimental Sergeant Major and the result today I think dare I say was a success."

Commander of British Forces Germany, Brigadier Richard Clements, said it had been a "great privilege to command a very joint combined mixed headquarters".

The German government has now recognised the headquarters' achievements with the Fahnenband ceremonial ribbon - one of the country's highest military honours.

The President of North Rhine Westphalia’s Parliament was pleased the British are staying.

Andre Kuper says there is not only a military relationship but much deeper historical ties between Britain and North Rhine Westphalia, and that is why he is delighted a training unit will continue to be stationed in the state.

Future support for military personnel in Germany is to be restructured.

Headquarters British Forces Germany has a job to do for at least another four months.