Rifles may get Freedom of Borough of Poole (From Bournemouth Echo)

Rifles may get Freedom of Borough of Poole

1:04pm Tuesday 17th November 2009 in

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The Rifles Regiment, whose soldiers have been fighting and dying in Afghanistan, are in line to be honoured with the Freedom of the Borough of Poole.

They will join the Royal Marines and RNLI in a select group to be granted the highest accolade which the town can confer.

The Rifles Regiment was formed in 2007 following the amalgamation of four famous regiments, including the Devonshire and Dorset Light Infantry.

Poole had originally granted its Freedom to the Dorset regiment in 1946 and this was exten-ded to the DDLI in 1976.

The new regiment has its HQ in Winchester and is keen to retain a close ties to its places of origin, including Dorset.

“The citizens of Poole honour the bravery, commitment and dedication of the men and women serving in the Rifles Regiment, so willingly given to our nation,” said Poole mayor, Cllr Charles Meachin.

The recommendation from the Civic Advisory Panel is due to go before cabinet this afternoon which will consider an extraordinary council meeting to confer the honour.