The weather may have been dark and dreary but the mood in Kirkcaldy was far from sombre as hundreds of Fifers turned out to give Black Watch soldiers returning from their latest tour of Afghanistan a warm welcome home.
Squaddies from the 3rd Battalion the Royal Regiment of Scotland (3 SCOTS) received rapturous applause as they marched through the Lang Toun on Thursday for their third homecoming parade of the week, led by Lieutenant Colonel Edward Fenton.
Among the heroic soldiers was Private Stephen Bainbridge, who lost both his legs from the knee down after standing on an IED while on patrol in Helmand Province on Armistice Day last year.
The accident happened just seven weeks into Pte Bainbridge’s first tour of Afghanistan, having joined the army in October 2010.
When his comrades returned home to their base in Fort George, near Inverness last week, Pte Bainbridge was there to welcome them home along with their loved ones.
Stephen, who is from Kirkcaldy, did not wish to speak publicly but his grandad Alfie Bainbridge (65), who is also a former Black Watch soldier, said he could not be more proud of him.
He added: ”It’s great to welcome the lads back home and it’s clear to see from the fantastic turnout that everyone in the town feels very proud of them all, as do I.”
On arrival at Kirkcaldy Town Square, the troops were greeted by Margaret Dean, the Lord Lieutenant of Fife; Frances Melville, Provost of Fife; Major General Riddell-Webster and Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath MP Gordon Brown.
The regiment previously took part in a homecoming parade in the town in December 2009 and the 3 SCOTS were granted the Freedom of Fife in 2006.
Frances Melville said: ”Today is a chance to say a huge thank you to all the soldiers in the Black Watch for their courage and bravery in serving their country.”
Mrs Melville also paid tribute to all the soldiers who had lost their lives and their families.Click here for a full photo galleryMr Brown said: ”I’m very pleased to welcome these young men home. They have shown such strength of character, courage, bravery and sheer professionalism during their time in Afghanistan and it is clear the people of Fife appreciate their efforts very much.”
Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Ed Fenton said: ”The reception received here in Fife has made us feel very proud and the boys really do appreciate it.
”Over the last few months there has been a lot of risk associated with trying to get things ready to hand things over to the Afghan security forces and the troops have went that extra mile to make sure everything was done correctly.
”The troops have found themselves under a lot of stress and a lot of pressure but ultimately it has been a successful tour and throughout all the challenges, trials and tribulations what kept us going was knowing we had such support back in Scotland.”The march followed a similar parade earlier in the day in Forfar. Soldiers will also march in Dundee and Perth on Friday. The Courier will have full coverage of all