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Black Watch honoured for bravery Black Watch honoured for bravery
(1 day later)
The Black Watch battalion is to be honoured for its bravery abroad by the people of Fife. The Black Watch has been honoured in its traditional recruiting area with a special award.
The traditional red hackles will be seen on parade in Kirkcaldy on Saturday as the soldiers and veterans collect the honour. The battalion, now part of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, received the Freedom of Fife from the local council.
Fife Council decided the battalion deserved the award for services to "safeguarding and maintaining peace". The traditional red hackles were on parade in Kirkcaldy as the soldiers and veterans collected the honour.
It will be only the second time the Freedom of Fife has been granted, the first time to the late Jimmy Shand. Fife Council made the award for "safeguarding and maintaining peace". It is only the second time the Freedom of Fife has been granted.
Provost John Simpson said: "I hope as many people as possible will turn out to cheer on the veterans and soldiers and show support for these brave individuals who place their lives at risk so that others can lead a safe and orderly life." The first time was to the late Jimmy Shand.
It is a rare and humbling tribute to the work of The Black Watch Capt Brian Cooper Chancellor Gordon Brown, Labour MP for Kirkcaldy & Cowdenbeath, said the honour was to thank all who had served in The Black Watch.
Veterans and soldiers will march to the town square for the Freedom of Fife ceremony, which finishes at 1200 BST. 'Tremendous support'
This will be followed by Black Watch veterans and soldiers parading through Kirkcaldy town centre. He said: "We are remembering people who have given their lives for the service of this country and we are also showing the tremendous support the community has for the work The Black Watch does."
Liberal Democrat leader Menzies Campbell, the MP for North East Fife, said: "It marks the tremendous affection that the community of Fife has for The Black Watch.
"It has recruited in this part of the country over many hundreds of years and people feel a real sense of ownership about this regiment."
This is also an important event for us to reassure the public that The Black Watch has not gone away and that we are still their local battalion under The Royal Regiment of Scotland Capt Brian Cooper
Capt Brian Cooper, Officer Commanding of The Black Watch Battalion recruiting team, said: "It is a rare and humbling tribute to the work of The Black Watch and demonstrates the incredible support that we have received over the years from the people of Fife.Capt Brian Cooper, Officer Commanding of The Black Watch Battalion recruiting team, said: "It is a rare and humbling tribute to the work of The Black Watch and demonstrates the incredible support that we have received over the years from the people of Fife.
"This is also an important event for us to reassure the public that The Black Watch has not gone away and that we are still their local battalion under The Royal Regiment of Scotland.""This is also an important event for us to reassure the public that The Black Watch has not gone away and that we are still their local battalion under The Royal Regiment of Scotland."
In March, The Black Watch, which traditionally recruited from Fife, joined with Scotland's other infantry regiments in a controversial move to form The Royal Regiment. In March, The Black Watch joined with Scotland's other infantry regiments in a controversial move to form The Royal Regiment of Scotland.
Fife remains an important recruitment area for the battalion with many serving soldiers having long family associations with The Black Watch.Fife remains an important recruitment area for the battalion with many serving soldiers having long family associations with The Black Watch.
The battalion is due to return to Iraq at the end of the year, the third time it will have been sent on duty there since Saddam Hussein was toppled.The battalion is due to return to Iraq at the end of the year, the third time it will have been sent on duty there since Saddam Hussein was toppled.