10,000 welcome home East Lancashire soldiers

Blackburn was brought to a standstill as 120 soldiers from the 1st Battalion Duke of Lancaster's Regiment marched with pride.

And after the parade was over the troops said they had been left completely overwhelmed by the response of the public.

The unprecedented scenes — children waving flags, people of all ages cheering, even bobbies on the beat applauding — stunned the troops.

The half-mile parade, starting at Blackburn Cathedral and ending at King George's Hall, was for soldiers from across East Lancashire who had been part of a six-month tour of duty in Afghanistan.

During the campaign, in which they spearheaded a major surge against the Taliban, three comrades died and many more were badly injured.

Council officials said there were 'at least 10,000 people' present in Blackburn.

Crowds were forced to wait in sub zero temperatures for several hours after the soldiers were caught up in a traffic jam following a crash on the A1.

Commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Frazer Lawrence said troops were left leaving feeling like 'real heroes'.

He said: “It brings it home to them that people do support them and the regiment.

“It was a fantastic day. The turnout was superb. The snow and cold didn’t seem to deter them.”

It was the battalion’s third homecoming march in three days following events in Manchester and Warrington.

L/Col Lawrence said: “I have been amazed by all three of them but today there was more shouting and cheering for us."

Tony Bancroft, the father of Lance Corporal Jordan Bancroft, from Earby, who died during the tour of duty, thanked everyone who came to show their thanks.

He said: “The parade had a really great turnout despite the delays and terrible weather.

“I think the service was excellent and very fitting for all our heroes involved."

Crowds began to assemble outside Blackburn Cathedral before midday, lining up along Darwen Street outside the BBC building.

There was a heavy police presence to avoid any crush in the crowd or any disorder.

A pen that had been set aside at the top of Church Street for any protesters who may have shown up remained empty.

Shortly after 1pm, the crowd started cheering as the two coaches, with police escort, finally pulled into the Cathedral grounds.

The soldiers were applauded as they filed off the coach, with onlookers shouting their encouragement.

The 120 soldiers were given a standing ovation as they entered Blackburn Cathedral for their homecoming service.

Their arrival brought rapturous applause and cheers that echoed to the crowds gathering outside.

People were turned away from the door as every one of the 1,000-plus seats was filled.

One of the most poignant moments came when the cathedral fell silent as a candle of remembrance was lit.

Dean Christopher Armstrong told the congregation: “We pray for all those who have lived and died in the service of others, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice and did not return home.

“At this moment of celebration and commemoration we remember with gratitude those whose courage has made our world a safer place and remember our own part in the world's disorder and unrest."

Padre Rev Dr Simon Bloxam-Rose paid tribute to his comrades and regailed the congregation with stories of the 1Lancs lads.

After the service he said: “It is wonderful to be home.

"The welcome we have received has been absolutely tremendous.”

In the service a poignant moment saw a candle of remembrance lit ‘as a reminder of both the price paid and the achievements made’.

At 2.10pm, deafening cheers greeted the troops as they emerged from the cathedral for the historic parade with people waving flags and banners.

'You're the pride of Lancashire', they sang, as the atmosphere began to resemble a Premier League football match.

The songs were eventually drowned out by the batallion's band, as the procession got under way along Darwen Street with flags waving in appreciation as the young men marched past.

As they made their way on to St Peter’s Street, people holding umbrellas and plastic flags jostled to get a better view.

Along Astley Gate, crowds lined the entrance ramp to Blackburn’s Mall Shopping Centre in a bid to overlook the cathedral grounds and surrounding streets.

Outside Blackburn Town Hall there were scenes reminiscent of old wartime footage as children started singing and the flag-waving crowds went wild.

Pupils lined up in King William Street to perform the national anthem and also adapted the famous football song to ‘Soldiers coming home’.

Dignitaries, including Lancashire mayors and mayoresses, were saluted.

Watching the regiment pass along King William Street were locals Ronnie Brown, Brian Shorrock, Ken Denial and Tom Fox.

Tom, 56, from Darwen, said: “I’ve come to show my support. We are all very grateful for what the soldiers do.

Ronnie, 59, said: “I’m quite in awe of how many people have turned out. The troops deserve all the applause they get.”

Among those lining the street, outside the town hall, were scores of union flag-waving pupils from St Anne's RC Primary School and Witton Park Business, Enterprise and Science College, both in Blackburn.

St Anne's headteacher Barbara Cuff said: "We all wanted to come down and support the soldiers.

"Many pupils have got family members in the forces and this was their chance to show their appreciation."

In Northgate, after acting mayor Karimeh Foster had taken the salute at the town hall, the soldiers enjoyed their biggest cheer of the day, lining up to be presented to the crowd ahead of a civic reception at King George’s.

Then the order came for the troops to stand at ease, although the commands could not be heard above the roar of the crowd.

Soldiers went along the line shaking hands and high-fiving members of the crowd.

The act was a spontaeneous response from East Lancashire soldiers to East Lancashire people.

The soldiers were left feeling incredibly overwhelmed and humbled after their homecoming parade.

And they gave sincere thanks to East Lancashire for coming out in force, despite the snow flurries and sub-zero temperatures.

The North West regiment has marched through Manchester and Warrington this week, and will visit Carlisle tomorrow and Lancaster on Friday.

But the soldiers declared Blackburn as the best parade so far.

Speaking at the civic reception at King George's Hall, Deputy Colonel of the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment Andrew Davies, said: “I don’t think anybody could have predicted the strength of the welcome home.

“We were choked by the appreciation, the support and by the sheer warmth of the welcome. Despite the weather the crowd waited and waited which made it doubly special.

“The character of this reception is exactly what we expected from Blackburn and they haven’t let us down.”

Lance Corporal Alex Winterburn, 28, from Blackburn, said: “It was awesome seeing that many people turning out in such bad weather.

"I could see my family and friends. The support we had was overwhelming. I didn’t realise how electric and amazing it would be.

“In Afghanistan we lost seven lads who were injured and died, so coming home makes you appreciate this.”

Kingsman Daniel Holding, 20, from Chorley, said: “It was brilliant. I didn’t think I would see so many people. I don’t think anyone will top today’s turnout.

“I never expected that reception. It makes us feel proud.

“There were times we didn’t think we would come back, everyone does, but it is a struggle to describe how I feel after the parade. It was emotional and I respect the public to come out in the snow”

Kingsman Michael Ashmore, 26, from Chorley, said: “It was grand. The best one so far.

“It makes you feel proud knowing that you have come home. I wasn’t expecting it in this way. The people of East Lancashire have done us proud.”

Kingsman Anthony Hodges, 18, from Darwen, said: “It was the best turnout we have had.

"I had a few friends and family in the crowd who were making me laugh when we approached.

"It was the best feeling knowing that it was our home town.”

A major police operation helped the parade pass off with little trouble.

Supporters of the English Defence League gathered in town centre pubs and led football-style chants along the route.

But the heavily-policed event passed off relatively incident-free.

A 'minor disturbance' at the Sun Hotel in Astley Gate brought three police support units on to the street, with people inside let out one-by-one by officers.

In total there were 10 arrests for drunken behaviour and minor public order offences, out of the thousands of people who attended.

Police thanked the community and organisers for their co-operation.

Chief Inspector Peter Lawson said: “Our top priority throughout has been the safety of the community and to ensure that homecoming parade passed off peacefully.

“Today's events have passed mostly without incident and I would like to thank the local community and the organisers of the event for their help during the event and the lead up to it.”

REPORTING TEAM: David Watkinson, Sam Chadderton, Emma Cruces, Tom Moseley, Chris Hopper, Nafeesa Shan, Chris Gee, Vanessa Cornall, Simone Yates and Paul Cockerton.

The Lancashire Telegraph provided updates from the service and parade. Click on the link below to replay our coverage as well as our photo gallery.