Crowds lined the streets last Thursday (17th November) as more than 500 riflemen were granted the Freedom of Chepstow before receiving their operational medals for service in Afghanistan.

The ceremony came just days after 1st Battalion The Rifles (1 Rifles) returned to Beachley Barracks from their six-and-a-half month tour of Afghanistan on Op Herrick 14.

The Freedom of Chepstow was officially granted by Mayor of Chepstow Henry Hodges. A Guard of Honour of about 100 Riflemen symbolically received the freedom on behalf of the battalion.

The Freedom of Chepstow bestows upon the battalion the right to march through the town and following the ceremony they did just that.

More than 500 members of 1 Rifles marched through the centre of Chepstow, led by the Band of Bugles of The Rifles.

Hundreds of people lined the streets and a bank of civic and military dignataries took a salute in front of the town's war memorial.

For full story see Beacon 23/11/11