Royal Marines Given Freedom of the City in Glasgow

Her Majesty’s Royal Marines was formally granted the Freedom of the City of Glasgow on Saturday (November 1).

It is the city’s highest honour and the ceremonial made by The Right Honourable Lord Provost, Councillor Sadie Docherty, and accepted by the Commandant General Royal Marines, Major General Martin Smith MBE.

In this year of the 350^th birthday of the Royal Marines, founded on October 28 1664, the honour is particularly special. Centred on George Square, the occasion was marked by a parade through the streets of Glasgow by members of 43 Commando Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines from HM Naval Base Clyde and The Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Scotland, along with both veteran commandos and Royal Marines Cadets from the Glasgow area.

The Freedom of the City was granted in recognition of the long association Glasgow has had with the Royal Marines – including the long association with Royal Marines Reserve Scotland.

Originally formed as City of Glasgow Centre Royal Marines Force Volunteer Reserve in 1948, it is the UK’s oldest marines reserve unit formed at the same time as RMR City of London. The detachment still parades in Govan on Wednesday evenings and is actively seeking new recruits. Members of the detachment set up displays in George Square as part of the event.

Taking to the streets of the historic maritime city with swords drawn, bayonets fixed, drums beating, bands playing and colours flying, the parade left at 10.30am from Holland Street, before moving onto West Regent Street, Douglas Street and George Street, passing through Nelson Mandela Place before arriving in George Square at 10.50am.

The parade halted before the City Chambers. The Lord Provost then made the official conferral of the Freedom, which the Commandant General, as head of the Royal Marines, accepted on behalf of the Corps as a whole.

Both inspected the assembled parade, which then moved off to exercise the Freedom of the City for the first time – a route which was taken from the square via St. Vincent Street, Renfield Street, Union Street, Argyle Street, Queen Street, Ingram Street, South Frederick Street and back to George Square.

The Royal Marines and invited guests was welcomed to a special civic reception at the City Chambers.