NEWS: Soldiers Home With A Roar

MARK McLAUGHLIN
Edinburgh Evening News
1 May 2010

EDINBURGH soldiers are set to receive a high-octane welcome home when a parade to celebrate their return from Afghanistan is led out by up to 200 Harley Davidson Motorcycles.

The troops from 3rd Battalion The Rifles (3 Rifles) and their accompanying detachment from 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (1 Scots) Bravo Company will parade down The Mile next Saturday following one of the most gruelling tours in the regiment's recent history.

The battle group they were attached to lost 30 men in Helmand - 16 from the Edinburgh-based regiments alone.

The Harleys were invited by Bob Wright, father of Dalkeith paratrooper Cpl Mark Wright, who was posthumously awarded the George Cross following his death in 2006.

Mr Wright said: "I thought it would be a great idea as it will make the day a real attraction, especially for the children. Maybe I'm just a big kid myself because I'm really looking forward to it."

The Mark Wright Project, the charity set up in Cpl Wright's honour, was approached by another former paratrooper Gordon McLuskie, regional representative of The Harley Davidson Riders Club of Great Britain, two months ago offering the club's services for future fundraising activities.

Mr Wright immediately signed them up for next Saturday's parade, drawing inspiration from a similar bike ride last month through Wootton Bassett, near to RAF Lyneham where most of Britain's fallen soldiers are repatriated.

Mr McLuskie, 53, from Kirkcaldy, said: "Some of our riders took part in the Wootton Bassett ride, and we were honoured to be asked to lead out the Edinburgh parade."

Riders are expected to arrive from all over Scotland, including a contingent from Edinburgh Harley Davidson, based on West Mains Road, the Ayrshire Hillbillies Motorcycle Club, Stirling-based Caledonia Harley and bikes from the Pirate Crew and Scottish Cruisers.

An Army spokeswoman said: "We're absolutely thrilled that the Harleys will be leading the parade out. The Harleys will hopefully get the expected crowds in parade spirit. It's really touching that the riders have chosen to bring their pride and joy along and spend their Saturday supporting the Army.

"It will be a really nice prelude to the parade, which will be a bit of a high speed affair itself.

"3 Rifles will be parading down the Royal Mile at quick-march speed of 140 paces-per-minute, which is their traditional marching pace.

"It's a tradition that stems back to the days when they were known as the Light Infantry, who were famous for their quick marching.

"They march in time to buglers, who also have to march quickly while playing which is no mean feat. The 1 Scots Bravo Company, who accompanied 3 Rifles on their latest tour, will also be parading at normal pace - so they'll probably have to set off on Friday to keep up! All in all it's going to be a bit of a 'blink-and-you'll miss it' affair."

The parade will start at 10.30am on 8 May from Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood Palace, where the soldiers will be met by Princess Alexandra.