Freedom of Wimborne for The Rifles (From Thisisdorset)

Freedom of Wimborne for The Rifles

5:00pm Sunday 21st March 2010 in

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An army regiment with heavy losses among Dorset soldiers serving in Afghanistan is to be given the freedom of Wimborne.

Town mayor Cllr John Burden will hand a ceremonial scroll to a senior officer from The Rifles outside the town’s historic minster church on May 9.

Six soldiers from the regiment died last week, including Rifleman Jonny Allott, 19, from Kinson, who was killed by an Improvised Explosive Device in Sangin, Helmand Province, on Friday, March 5.

Cllr Burden said he had been determined to use his year in office to show the respect of Wimborne residents for the sacrifice of soldiers lost in Afghanistan.

The town came to a standstill last December for the funeral of Rifleman Phil Allen, 20, who was killed in Helmand Province on November 7, 2009.

“Rifleman Allen’s funeral was a very emotional occasion.

“Two days before the funeral, I walked the route followed by the cortege and asked the shop owners to close during the procession. Without exception, they agreed – even the multinationals. I was very moved,” said Cllr Burden.

The Verwood infantryman was the second soldier from East Dorset killed in Afghanistan.

Former Ferndown Upper School student Lt John Thornton, 22, died on patrol with 40 Commando in Helmand in March 2008.

Many veterans of the regiments that served as forerunners to the Rifles – the Devon and Dorsets, and the Dorsets – live in Wimborne.

David Hoyle, the chairman of the Wimborne branch of the Royal British Legion, said the gesture would be felt by serving soldiers.

“I know three or four young men who have served or are serving in Afghanistan with the Rifles, or the Royal Marines.

“Granting the freedom of the town is a great acknowledgement that their work out there means something to us,” said Mr Hoyle.