History of Seaham - Stories and remarkable and memorable events in the history of Seaham Miscellaneous events in the history of Seaham The 4th Regiment Royal Artillery are given the Freedom of the Town (23rd July 2022)
**** The 4th Regiment Royal Artillery receives the Freedom of the Town of Seaham ****
On the 23rd July 2022 the town of Seaham restored its historic links with the Royal Artillery when the regiment was granted the freedom of the town.
Gavin Havery of the Northern Echo wrote “Over 100 troops from 4th Regiment Royal Artillery will parade through Seaham at 11am today Saturday July 23. The parade starts with two guns firing from Terrace Green, signalling for the regiment to march along North Terrace. Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Brocklesby and Mayor of Seaham, Sue Morrison, will present the regiment with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal. After the medal presentation, the Mayor of Seaham will grant the regiment freedom of the town, bestowing on the 4th Regiment Royal Artillery the town’s highest civic honour.”
Sue Morrison, Mayor of Seaham, said: “From 1860 to 1955 our town was home to the 2nd Seaham Royal Artillery Volunteer Corp. “Nearly seventy years later, I am honoured to restore our links by granting 4th Regiment Royal Artillery Freedom of Seaham. The Freedom of Seaham entitles the regiment to march through the town, drums beating, colours flying, bayonets fixed, and guns firing to mark special anniversaries and occasions.
Mayor Morrison said: “Restoring the connection to the 4th Regiment Royal Artillery is the culmination of Seaham’s commitment to honour, commemorate and celebrate our Armed Forces. “From Tommy, the nation’s favourite public artwork, Armed Forces Day, Sound the Retreat, the pebble poppy, to the memorials and the marking of military anniversaries.
“The 4th Regiment Royal Artillery is Seaham’s official regiment; they are the living embodiment of the town’s respect and gratitude to the brave men and women who serve and defend our nation.”
Grahame Morris MP said thanks must be given to Seaham Town Council and the veterans’ community led by Cllr David McKenna and Joe Walker, an ex-4th Regiment Royal Artillery gunner who served in the Falklands.
Mr Morris said: “I am proud that Seaham is restoring links with the 4th Regiment Royal Artillery.
“The Regiment is known as the North East Gunners, with East Durham being a major recruitment ground and I am delighted the Mayor of Seaham will bestow the town’s highest civic honour upon the Regiment. We can look forward to welcoming our official Regiment to Seaham for future civic and military occasions. To have the 4th Regiment Royal Artillery accept the freedom of the town is the culmination of years of activity to celebrate and commemorate our Armed Forces.”
Fred Cooper, author of The 2nd Durham (Seaham) Artillery Volunteers said “A great debt is owed to the men of the Durham colliery districts that made such a commitment and dedication to training and preparing for the defence of this country. The members of the old 2nd Durham’s and their descendants, culminating in the 4th Regiment Royal Artillery, have a right to be proud of their military record and achievements.
Ironically the 4th Regiment Royal Artillery sited its guns in almost the same location as the 2nd Durham (Seaham) Artillery Volunteers did over 120 years previously in this photograph taken on the Terrace Green circa 1900.
Artillery Volunteers carrying out gun drill on the Terrace Green circa 1900
4th Regiment Royal Artillery firing guns to signify the beginning of the parade for the Freedom of the Town (23rd July 2022)
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