Duke of Lancaster's Regiment Wigan borough freedom parade

The Duke of Lancaster’s regiment was granted the freedom of the borough by Wigan Council and put on an impressive parade which saw soldiers march through the town “with drums beating, colours flying and bayonets fixed”.

By Holly Pritchard

Published 3rd Jun 2022, 10:30 BST

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The Regiment gathered on Believe Square while newly installed Mayor of Wigan, Coun Marie Morgan, held a council meeting in the town hall chambers to announce officially the freedom and make presentations to the Colonel of the Regiment, Brigadier Frazer Lawrence OBE.

Read more: IN PICTURES: Freedom of the Borough Parade

Afterwards the procession made its way to the town hall for inspection carried out by the Mayor, before they paraded through the streets to mark the event.

The Mayor of Wigan Coun Marie Morgan, left, makes a presentation to The Duke of Lancaster Regiment Colonel - Brigadier Frazer Lawrence OBE, right.
The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment parade around Wigan Town Hall, celebrating being granted Freedom of the Borough by Wigan Council.
The Mayor of Wigan Coun Marie Morgan, held a council meeting in Wigan Town Hall chambers to officially annouce and make presentations to the Colonel of the Regiment, Brigadier Frazer Lawrence OBE, before a parade and the Mayor of Wigan carried out an inspection. — The Mayor of Wigan Coun Marie Morgan, left, makes a presentation to The Duke of Lancaster Regiment Colonel - Brigadier Frazer Lawrence OBE, right. The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment parade around Wigan Town Hall, celebrating being granted Freedom of the Borough by Wigan Council. The Mayor of Wigan Coun Marie Morgan, held a council meeting in Wigan Town Hall chambers to officially annouce and make presentations to the Colonel of the Regiment, Brigadier Frazer Lawrence OBE, before a parade and the Mayor of Wigan carried out an inspection.

The Mayor of Wigan Coun Marie Morgan, left, makes a presentation to The Duke of Lancaster Regiment Colonel - Brigadier Frazer Lawrence OBE, right.
The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment parade around Wigan Town Hall, celebrating being granted Freedom of the Borough by Wigan Council.
The Mayor of Wigan Coun Marie Morgan, held a council meeting in Wigan Town Hall chambers to officially annouce and make presentations to the Colonel of the Regiment, Brigadier Frazer Lawrence OBE, before a parade and the Mayor of Wigan carried out an inspection. — The Mayor of Wigan Coun Marie Morgan, left, makes a presentation to The Duke of Lancaster Regiment Colonel - Brigadier Frazer Lawrence OBE, right. The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment parade around Wigan Town Hall, celebrating being granted Freedom of the Borough by Wigan Council. The Mayor of Wigan Coun Marie Morgan, held a council meeting in Wigan Town Hall chambers to officially annouce and make presentations to the Colonel of the Regiment, Brigadier Frazer Lawrence OBE, before a parade and the Mayor of Wigan carried out an inspection.

The freedom of a town is the highest accolade that can be given by a local council to a military unit in recognition of their exceptional service and a sign of mutual respect between the local people and regiment.

The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment is the infantry regiment of the North West of England and is over 300 years old.

Brigadier Lawrence said: “The regiment has long and close associations with the borough of Wigan which we cherish.

“It is therefore a great honour for these links to be formally recognised with the granting of the borough’s freedom and a privilege for us now to exercise our new freedom by marching through it.”

Wigan Wigan Council Mayor