FREEDOM PARADE - DMS WHITTINGTON 28 September 2016

Published: 12 September 2016

Several hundred military personnel, accompanied by the Queens Division Band, Colour Party, Field Gun, armaments and local Cadets amongst others, will Parade through Lichfield City on Wednesday 28 September from 3.30pm in recognition of Defence Medical Services (DMS) Whittington being awarded the Freedom of the City of Lichfield, the highest honour that the City can bestow.

The Parade, which is open to the public and free to attend, will begin at Lichfield Cathedral and proceed along Bird St and Market St, past the Market Square where the salute will be taken, and then left into Dam St.

DMS Whittington brings together the uniformed and civilian medical personnel from the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force. The primary role of the DMS is to promote, protect and restore the health of service personnel to ensure that they are medically fit to go where they are required in the UK and throughout the world. Personnel from all three services, regulars and reserves, work alongside civil servants and other supporting units providing healthcare to service personnel in the UK, abroad and those at sea.

The role of DMS Whittington is central to the wellbeing of the Armed Forces of the United Kingdom, and it is in recognition of the importance of this work that the Freedom of the City is to be conferred at a special meeting of Lichfield City Council in the Guildhall. This will be  followed by a Civic procession to Lichfield Cathedral and a service of thanks at the Cathedral at 2:00pm. 

Councillor David Smedley, Leader of Lichfield City Council said ‘The City Council is immensely proud to confer the Freedom of the City on DMS Whittington. A military parade through the streets of Lichfield is something nobody should miss, and promises to be a spectacle the like of which has not been seen in Lichfield for many years. The parade is a free family event, so please line the route, enjoy the show and give your support to our armed forces.’

Motorists are asked to be aware that road closures will be in force on Wednesday 28 September from 1pm-2pm along Lower Bore St, Conduit St, Dam St and Cathedral Close, and from 3pm – 5pm along Cathedral Close, Beacon St, Bird St, Market St, Conduit St, Lower Bore St and Bore St.