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Yesterday's parade consisted of some 250 soldiers who marched out of Marne Barracks to Catterick's War Memorial where a Remembrance service was held and the names of Trooper Jack Sadler from the Honourable Artillery Company and Corporal Darryl Gardiner from 5 Regiment, who died on recent operations were read out.
The troops, marching in bright sunshine, then returned to the camp, passing many onlookers who had lined the route, for a medal parade where soldiers were presented with operational medals for their service in either Iraq or Afghanistan, with some soldiers receiving medals for service in both.
The medals were presented by Major General ACP Stone who is the Honorary Colonel of the Regiment, the Director Royal Artillery, Brigadier CW Tadier and the Commander of 52 Infantry Brigade, Brigadier AD Mackay.
Lieutenant Colonel John Musgrove, Commanding Officer of 5 Regiment RA, said: "The Regimental day is a chance for the past and present members of 5 Regiment to come together and mark the trials, tribulations and sacrifices of the last year of operations.
"In particular this year we remember Corporal Darryl Gardiner and Trooper John Sadler who died on active service in Afghanistan and also two brothers, Gunners Daniel and Charles Albanese, who died in a road traffic accident."
Earlier in the day, in what marks a historic change in the history of one of the Batteries from the Regiment - 4/73 (Sphinx) Battery, the traditional dark blue beret of the Royal Artillery was replaced with a khaki-coloured beret.
The change came about as a result of the Battery working closely, in times of war, with the Honourable Artillery Company who are part of the Household Division. The khaki beret is the colour beret that the Household Division wear and so to mark this close working relationship the beret has been changed.
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