Arbroath-based Royal Marines will march through the streets of the town this weekend as comrades continue a vital humanitarian mission in the Mediterranean.
The men of 45 Commando’s Zulu Company will represent the Angus base at an annual Armed Forces and Emergency Services Day Parade which will see hundreds line the streets on Saturday for what has become a major event in the area’s early summer calendar.
Thousands of miles away in the central Mediterranean, 40 members of 45 Commando’s Yankee Company remain embarked on HMS Bulwark in an international operation aimed at reducing a migrant toll of tragedy which has already claimed the lives of thousands fleeing north Africa bound for the coasts of Europe.
Yankee Company personnel are providing security on landing craft equipped with lifejackets, food and emergency supplies which are being used to conduct searches of the vessels bearing the migrants.
At the beginning of May, 45 Commando assumed the role of lead commando unit to place the elite Angus unit at the vanguard of the UK’s response to any military or humanitarian crisis, maintained at high-readiness to deploy anywhere in the world.
The rotational role involves 45 Commando and 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines colleagues from 40 and 42 Commando, based in Taunton and Plymouth respectively.
The weekend Arbroath parade will start at 1.30pm from the abbey and march through the town along High Street towards Victoria Park where the RM Condor Military Wives Choir will be performing after the parade.
The Condor contingent will be part of a Saturday programme which includes a host of attractions and a 2.30pm aerobatic display by a Pitts Special biplane over the seafront.
Lieutenant Santino Alessandro, Officer Commanding 11 Troop, Zulu Company, said the parade participation was “a great honour”.
“This year has been, and will prove to be, a busy period for 45 Commando.
“This will be a great opportunity to meet the public and support our local community who look after us so well.
“We’ll also be on hand to answer any questions the public may have about the Royal Marines and hopefully encourage a few to join us.”