Parade Celebrates 23 Parachute Engineer Regiment's 15th Anniversary

23 Parachute Engineer Regiment parade through Woodbridge (Image: British Army/MoD).

23 Parachute Engineer Regiment have paraded through Woodbridge in Suffolk to celebrate their 15th anniversary. 

The Regiment have been based at Rock Barracks in Woodbridge since 2006 after its formation in 2003 for the Iraq War.

The Regiment have since been deployed on three tours of Afghanistan, supported peacekeeping in the Sinai Peninsula and carried out hurricane relief in the Caribbean.

Major General Chris Tickell CBE, Chief Royal Engineer and the Regiment's founding commanding officer, and Mayor of Woodbridge Councillor David Mortimer took the salute with The Band of The Parachute Regiment performing. 

Lieutenant Colonel Simon Carvel, Commanding Officer of 23 Parachute Engineer Regiment, said: “It’s a huge privilege for the Regiment to exercise the Freedom of Woodbridge and it has been a wonderful occasion to mark our fifteenth anniversary.

"We have a wonderful relationship with Woodbridge and draw strength from the public support received today, and every day from the local community.”

Cllr Mortimer said: “Woodbridge has a long connection with the military and we are massively proud to have the soldiers of 23 Parachute Engineer Regiment and their families as part of the town.”

After the parade, Corporal Joe Lovell was presented with a Chief of the General Staff’s Commendation for giving lifesaving first aid to the victim of a stabbing in Ipswich back in April 2017.

The Regiment's celebrations continue today with an open day at Rock Barracks, showcasing their equipment and skills.