Chester's salute for Dragoon Guards

LORD Mayor John Ebo and the Duke of Westminster took the salute when the 1st Queen’s Dragoon Guards marched through Chester city centre.

Near the saluting dais was 23-year-old Lance Corporal Phil Meadows from Upton who lost a leg when his vehicle hit an explosive device in Afghanistan eight months ago.

The march began at the Castle Street car park with the salute taken near the Cathedral in St Werburgh Street. Cllr Ebo said: “There are many links between the city and the Dragoon Guards.”

Leading the march was the Prince of Wales Band and among the people who were also there were Lt Col Alan Richmond, the High Sheriff of Cheshire, William Fergusson; the Sheriff of Chester, Cllr Hilarie McNae and Deputy Lord Mayor, Cllr Neil Ritchie.

The Queen’s Dragoon Guards lineage stretches back more than 300 years and has seen active service all over the world and most recently, the tour in Afghanistan.

On Friday the Duke of Westminster received a cheque for more than £1,200 from Queen’s Dragoon soldiers for the British Limbless Ex Service Men’s Association (BLESMA)L/Cpl Meadows’ fellow soldiers in C Squadron raised the money by taking part in a cycle ride on static machines in Afghanistan, cycling 6,000 miles which is the equivalent from Garmsir to Chester.