Thousands of people lined the streets of Whitby today to welcome an army corps – which has had a long-standing affiliation with Whitby – as it was granted the Honorary Freedom of the Town.
Today’s Freedom of Whitby Parade marked the formal granting of the Honorary Freedom of the Town to 1 Close Support Battalion, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (1 CS Bn REME).
It is the highest civic honour that Whitby Town Council can bestow.
Flags, cheers and clapping followed the soldiers as they made their way along the parade route, which started at Church Street and went over the swing bridge, along Bagdale to Chubb Hill and into Pannett Park.
Soldiers paused in front of the Pannett Museum and Art Gallery for inspection by The Deputy Lord-Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, Andrew Pindar OBE and The Mayor of Whitby, Sandra Turner. Coun Turner then did the honours of handing over the scroll and certificate to Colonel Jason Phillips Ranking Officer who has served with the British Army for more than 35 years.
In granting the Freedom of the Town to 1 Close Support Battalion, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, she said it was an occasion of “solemn dignity, historic significance, and great civic pride”.
In her speech, Coun Turner said: “From ancient times, the Freedom of a town has stood among the highest honours that a civic community may bestow. It is granted rarely, and only in recognition of distinguished service, steadfast duty, and an enduring bond of friendship between those honoured and the people by whom that honour is conferred.
“Today, Whitby adds a new chapter to that long and noble tradition.
“By resolution of Whitby Town Council, and in the name of the people of this ancient town, it is now my privilege and honour to proclaim the granting of the Freedom of the Town of Whitby to 1 Close Support Battalion, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.
“In doing so, we record for generations to come the deep respect, gratitude, and affection in which the Battalion is held, and we affirm the lasting friendship between the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and the town and people of Whitby.
“Let this honour stand as a visible and enduring testament to service, loyalty, and fellowship.”
The Deputy Lt of North Yorkshire, Andrew Pindar OBE said it had been his “privilege as the King’s representative” to attend the ceremony, and appropriate that REME had this affection with Whitby.
He said: “Whitby is one of the birthplaces of modern science. This philosophy, the archives in this building tell the amazing tale that the age of enlightenment came through Whitby with people learning about science with us as engineers bringing wider skills in the defence of the realm.
“Whitby was the centre of the Royal Navy for many years”, he added because of the ships built in Fishburns Yard and elsewhere, and which went with Captain Cook and others around the world.
“That part of the heritage of Whitby is so relevant for us to be here”, he said.
Col Jason Phillips in his address paid tribute to Whitby’s fallen soldiers who also had connections with REME.
Craftsman Andrew Found served with REME from 2006 before joining the Fitter Section, D Squadron (Warthog Group), Light Aid Detachment, Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, in 2010.
He was fatally wounded in an explosion in the Helmand province of Afghanistan in June 2011.
Whitby is also the resting place of Warrant Officer Class 1 John Thomas Buck, a local man who served with REME for many years prior to his death in Germany, in 2011, aged 41.
The families of both soldiers attended today’s parade and ceremony as invited guests and Col Phillips told how both men are remembered each year in the town by REME during Remembrance Sunday.
Amongst the REME regiment taking part in today’s parade were James Hill and Chris Kiplin, both from Whitby and both part of 1 CS Bn REME.
Col Phillips, himself a Yorkshireman, said: “Why does REME have so many links to Whitby? We have the same values.
“The values we live by in the army are commitment, discipline, courage, responsibility for others and integrity.
“To get up in the night to sail into the North Sea requires the same skill and courage. It is clear we have much in common. Today, we celebrate our relationship with your wonderful town and look forward to our continuing association with it.”
At the end of the formal ceremony, the REME regiment, their families who had come to spectate, dignitaries including Coun David Chance the chair of North Yorkshire Council, guests and Whitby Town Council joined for food and refreshments in Pannett Park.
